Back to Vegas pt 2

The reasons why Vegas appeals to people are the same reason it repulses them. “It’s a fun place to visit…” It’s a town built around tourists coming in and plunking down a wad of cash for a weekend of excess. When you are stranded here for a few weeks…well, it can get a bit ugly.

What’s funny about me is that I don’t even partake in these excesses. I’m a simple kind of guy who would rather spend a night at home with his wife than out on the town at a club. In fact, I’ve been to a total of 1 club in all the time I’ve been in Vegas (2005)…and even that was for the NBC Heads-Up draw party at Pure. It’s not like I’m against clubs or anything, I just don’t enjoy crowds.

I’ve mentioned before that I’m an OK poker player and a terrible gambler; I’ve played blackjack or roulette a couple of times while living in Vegas. I just don’t enjoy gambling either. I rarely ventured to the strip unless it was poker-related. While they haven’t left their mark on me directly these many distractions have messed up enough of my friends' lives to leave a foul taste in my mouth.

When our time was up in Sin City, I was ready to go. It’s strange because I’ve never enjoyed most of the things that make this place such a popular weekend getaway.

Except poker.

After playing the game somewhat seriously for about five years now, I both love and hate it. I’m very extreme in those emotions/feelings. It’s either one or the other; since going broke in early 2006 I’ve never played the game on a regular enough basis to be indifferent about it. Sometimes I wonder if I played a full gamut of tournaments if I would’ve “broken through” or not; the few times I’ve been deep in these WSOP events I’ve taken some tough beats that sent me packing. I think the very best players, while caring deeply about how they play, have little concern over the short-term success of any specific tournament. When I’m playing/running good I’m head over heels for poker. When I’m playing/running bad I leave town and head home. I don’t believe I have the right makeup to be a full-time player, although I know I can have a lot of success at it if I take it in spurts.