Monday at the WSOP

08:30 Spent fifteen minutes trying to decide if I should back Tiger now or later. Went for now, which gave me maximum sweat over the next few hours and the full range of emotions. I still would have been better backing him later.

11:00 Found a Karaoke Store with Mad Marty. Inside was a complete works of every possible Karaoke song in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The guy behind the counter had heard of Abba, but could not find “Thank You For the Music”, which Marty regarded as absolutely crucial. He did manage to find a compilation of Neil Diamond, and Marty swiftly convinced him of the importance of cueing it up on the machine. Inside the store was the guy behind the counter, his sister, her two year old kid who was running around in a diaper, and one customer. Marty gave the two year old a fiver and told him “I don’t want you buying any cigarettes with this.” Marty grabbed the microphone and less than one minute later he had the entire store singing “Sweet Caroline”, complete with hand waves. Even the two year old.

I’m not the only one who hasn’t played any poker yet. I don’t think Julian has played, and Padraig has barely moved a chip. Meanwhile, it sounds like carnage over at the Rio. These tournaments add up. You’d nearly want a sponsorship deal…

Last night went over to the Circus Circus steakhouse and then the Peppermill for drinks. The Circus Circus still cracks me up. What a classic casino. Dealers wearing pink bowties, carnival games, and the smell of urine. Just like the 1970’s.

How good a price is 250/1 to reach the final table? I mean, I just have so much trouble believing these prices are not way, way off. Even with 6,000 runners. Especially with 6,000 runners. This 250/1 price on many people seems to have been pretty much accepted by the bookmakers, as you can find that the price abounds at Ladbrokes, Stan James, and Paddy Power. Three books who I don’t think are working together. I usually put my money where my mouth is and I almost always regret it. But if John Tabatabi isn’t ridiculous value at 250/1 to reach the final table of the main event, then what the hell is the sense in even watching? Why even play the damn thing?

I’ll head over to the Rio today. I promise. I’m scared about what I might find.