ElaineC
PokerNews Managing Editor
One Week Down....
....who knows how many to go.
Apparently, ^ it's already taking its toll.
There's plenty to talk about already in the first week! Luckily, I don't have to talk about all of it in this blog, because we've already written about it on PokerNews (and I can just link to it!).
One player who is noticeably absent from the Rio is Mr. Phil Ivey. If you don't already know why he's not there, please crawl out from under that rock and read his statement. And you know Tiltware responded.
The other big thing that was announced a few days in was a $1 million buy-in tournament. WTF?! In all fairness, it's for an awesome charity started by Guy Laliberte called One Drop. What does One Drop do? It focuses on providing access to clean water all around the world. There are mixed reactions from players regarding this event, especially since it could be a bracelet event (if the right number of players drop a milly for the buy-in). Our awesome new reporter Danielle talked to some pros and here is what they had to say.
A handful of bracelets have already been handed out and you can check out who won what in our Live Reporting Blog or use our fancy new slider.
I wish I had some dirt to dish out to everyone, but it's been kinda quiet. Well, I've been stuck in the Churro Room usually and I'm not a dude. What does not being a dude have anything to do with anything? Well, on Monday, these little piss splash guards were all the rage with the guys at the WSOP. I knew they were going in and I took a photo of them pre-installation. And hopefully guys are circulating that instead of actual photos of the urinals, because a few posted piss-stained urinals and just thinking about that right now makes me want to throw up.
On a more personal note, I've apparently been challenged in a bake off again this year. I'm not scared. I just don't think people remember the goodies I brought last year. I've stepped up my game a little bit. It's always a friendly competition between me and BLUFF Magazine's Managing Editor Jess Welman but someone else has decided to nose her way in - one of our new reporters, Crystal. She apparently brought really yummy blonde brownies in on Tuesday. She may have beat me to the first punch, but she won't win. You can see my baked work below.
On another note, if you're bored Monday through Friday from 11:00 PDT to 12:00 PDT, you should probably listen to the PokerNews Podcast. Last week, Daniel Negreanu joined the show to talk about Iveygate, Ty Stewart came on and brought us some insight on the symbolism behind the $1 Million buy-in tournament maybe being a bracelet event, and Maria Ho came on and got sentimental. (Love her!) I'm on it sometimes, well most of the time, and then I get kicked out of my chair for whatever guest comes on the show. It's OK, I enjoy being the punching bag.... 
Oh man. I'm watching Million Dollar Decorators while I'm writing this, and one of the best quotes ever was just said. And I know this is not even relevant to this or anything, but you have to read it. > "You can be nice to people, but nice is for ice cream." OK. Moving on.
If you haven't already figured it out, my brain is all over the place. Someone else's brain who seems to be all over the place? Brad Garrett. I'm going to leave you with his Calling the Clock, because I was cracking up this morning watching it when I should have been working.
If you're a twitterer, follow me (in a non-creepy kinda way).
- No, those aren't real cheeseburgers, they're cupcakes!
- That's just a brownie stuffed into the middle of the best chocolate chip cookie ever
- Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing for UFC 129
- Funfetti cake with crusted buttercream icing for my boy's show - Fight Day
It's Tiiiimmmeeeeeee
In the words of Bruce Buffer, "It's Tiiiimmmeeeeee."
After almost two years with PokerNews, it's about time I wrote a blog. This isn't going to be one of those "About Mes," instead, I'm going to throw you into my world as it's happening. I'm sitting in what I like to call the Churro Room right now at the Rio (It's also called PokerNews HQ, but whatever). It's Day 1 of the 2011 World Series of Poker and the Casino Employees event is well under way and the $25,000 Heads Up will probably already have the cards in the air by the time I'm done with this.
This is my third WSOP (second with PokerNews) and up until I actually get here, the "awesome" feeling doesn't set in. PokerNews is the Official WSOP Live Update Team and Photography Team this year and we'll be bringing you more coverage than you'll probably know what to do with.
The Pavilion Room is massive, just like last year, but the highlight this year I think, is the Feature Table set. It's bananas and totally legit. I might have to sneak on the set and just pretend like I've made a final table, just so I can walk through the tunnel - yes, I said tunnel.
There are cash games and satellites running all day every day so if you're around and want to get in on the action, but maybe don't want to spend a lot of dough, these things are probably for you - and, you never know who you'll see roaming the halls!
We've got a lot of fun things in store for this year's WSOP. We're live streaming a daily podcast, we'll be doing TwitCams, Soundbites, and exclusive player video blogs. Oh, and we're probably going to try a giveaway again. Hopefully this time it works. (Because today's was a total fail.)
I'll be doing my best to take some fun pictures and tweet them, and even add them to this blog (which I plan on doing daily, but I'm not making any promises). It'll be more behind-the-scenesy - cause those are always more fun to look at. As evidenced by the photo at the right, it doesn't take long for us to start doing silly things.
If you're not going to make it down here this year, or haven't had a chance to make it in yet, you're probably wondering what is in store for you or the players that are on their way. Here is Kristy Arnett, Sarah Grant, and Lynn Gilmartin giving you a tour of the Rio.
I'm off to go check out the $25,000 Heads Up right now. I'll be back tomorrow with another one of these, but while you wait, why don't you check out The Nightly Turbo - it's like my little baby. And follow me on Twitter at @LaneyLV and PokerNews too at @PokerNews.
