Tunica, Sep 25-Oct 2, 2006. WSOP Circuit.

My first casino poker/WSOP Circuit event.

Well, my initial impression is that the vast majority of the people at this event are simply not good at playing poker. Unfortunately, this reflects poorly on me, as I was unable to leave with a overall win.

Conversely, I leave with a confidence that I am a much stronger player than ever before. I was able to play a variety of games from cash 2/5 NL and 4/8 limit, to single table tournaments (SNG) and large field multi table tournaments (MTT) with 800+ opponents. I was very effective at the SNG, finishing first or chopping a deal more than 50% of the time.

The limit cash tables were somewhat tough, as it seemed that none of the players knew enough to ever be afraid, and the NL tables were very intimidating since there is no maximum buy in. I might sit down with $400, someone else might sit with $4000. It took me the full week to not let that difference concern me and just simply take their money, as they were just giving it freely.

I managed to only tilt once while playing 4/8 when it seemed that nothing would ever go my way early Monday evening. My other bad run happened on Saturday at the SNG tables, when I entered 6 times, and only split once, erasing my slight win and putting me firmly in the red(-1200). I can only take solace that the 3 sharks that traveled with me were down similar amounts.

Now, before you fret, dear fans, I did a quick check; for the entire month of September, I am still up, so I have every expectation of my future play starting 9/9/06 will return my bankroll to its previous luster and health.

Highlights:
I met Susan, the director for the WSOP events; she hires the dealers. She asked for my information.
Everybody likes me... except that one jerk, and nobody liked him.
The Atlanta crowd is huge and healthy. Great underground scene.
Player to my right gets Royal Flush (I didn't pay him a dime)
I saw a $4700 pot, one hand. (The mounds of chips and cash... wow)

Lows:
I leave light.
I don't meet or see a single pro.
I don't have a story where I was in a massive pot, much less win one; my biggest win was right at $800 in one hand... actually 2-3 times that trip. maybe this should go in the column above.

I'll post more if I can think of anything else relevant.