Reno Hilton Pot of Gold Poker Tournament.

We left Chester, Ca. about 7:30 am Fri. morning. A third of the way into a two hour drive, I felt a slight pain in my abdomen. No stranger to this, I knew exactly what it was. As the pain increased, I had to pull over and let Suzy drive. Arriving in Reno at approx. 10:00 am, we headed straight for the VA hospital. Four hours later and a liter and a half of some silly,slick,silicone solution, I was out and on my way to the Hilton. Between that time and midnight I passed 4, not small, KIDNEY STONES.Lovely,just lovely. But I felt great. Now,I think i'm good for another year or so.

Off to play some poker.....

I entered 5 satelites. All no limit hold 'em.Two of which I came in third. With three remaining players,the two lower chip holders cut a deal where the second place winner would give the third place winner his entry fee back. That would be me. So I broke even on two.One was a near bad beat. I'm dealt Ac 4c. I call along with 4 others. Flop comes Kc 8c 6c. Seat 7 bets. I raise. Seat 7 calls. Turn card is 5d. Seat 7 checks. I go all in. Seat 7 calls. Cards up show seat 7 with 6d 6h. Me with A high flush. River comes 6s. His 4 sixes stomped my flopped flush. Bummer, huh? The other two satelites we won't even talk about. Some dumb play on my part.

Noon Sat. I entered the main event...No limit hold 'em.

Here, I played well with the cards I was dealt. Held on for nearly four hours when I went all in with a K high straight. Only to get beat by an A high straight. Again, on the river. They showed me the door and on my way out, I counted roughly 50 seats still full. So, I came in around 50th in a field of 216. I figured that wasn't too bad for a guy who only gets to play 8 or 10 times a year.

All in all, I had a great time. Got in some practice and i'm as ready as i'm going to get for the convention tournament.

Gene.......I met Ms. Kathy Wood. She was working the noon event Sat. She brought me my re-buy. I relayed your message. Nice lady. Seems like a good, knowledgable worker.

That's it from Chester. See 'yall at the convention !!!!!!!!!

Later......Rick

Below is a couple of chips I picked up while there. The WPT was filmed at the Hilton a couple of weeks ago. I think I heard it will be televised on June the 11th on The Travel Channel.