TULSA — Poker players sure know how to party!
Hundreds of “regular” players and a batch of top-tier pros enjoyed great food and camaraderie tonight at the invitation-only Main Event Reception here at Cherokee Casino Resort. The host, four-time WSOP bracelet winner Scotty Nguyen, was in usual form, smiling and “enjoying the party, baby.”
He had plenty of help.
After introducing his mom from Vietnam and all of the pros to individual rounds of applause, he even enticed some hand-clapping for himself. The crowd was only too willing to oblige. A never-ending bowl of three-inch-long shrip had nothing to do with the crowd’s happiness, I’m sure!
Men “The Master” Nguyen chimed in, taking the microphone long enough to tell everyone the rules for the night: “‘It’s all you can eat, baby!” From what I saw, Men was “all-in” for a good time, too.
Cameras flashed all over the place as the pros posed with fans. Scotty was the most popular target, but close behind were pro Clonie Gowen of Dallas, who looked vivacious in a shimmering short, green-trimmed black party dress, and a stunning model in a black-feather outfit who turned heads everywhere.
Linda Johnson, the “First Lady of Poker”, joined the party a bit late. Understandably so, however, because she had just battled her way to an eighth-place finish (worth $1,109) in the tough $550 H.O.R.S.E. tournament (see earlier post). You often see her on TV directing tournaments these days, but let me tell you, the 1997 WSOP razz bracelet holder has got game.
With her was accomplished poker writer and teacher Jan Fisher, who made the final two tables of the same event but just missed cashing. That’s OK, because she took down the ladies NLH event last night for a cool $5,787!
Nice going, gals!
I had nice chats with pros Todd Brunson and Mike Laing, invited Scotty to check out my blog of his tournament, and heard Ken Lambert, director of poker operations at the premiere resort Beau Rivage in Biloxi, Miss., explain how the resort got back to full steam following Katrina (a special construction that allowed the water surge to pass through the property without destroying it). He’s expecting big things at the resort’s Gulf Coast Poker Championship Aug. 29-Sept. 9.
Making sure everyone had a good time were Jimmie Sims, poker room manager, Sal Deleone, VIP host, Amanda Clinton, reception coordinator, and many other Cherokee staffers. Another reason they were happy: The Scotty Nguyen Poker Challenge III was on its way toward breaking attendance records.
Before the night ended, I was summoned to the dance floor by a gorgeous woman in white. She already had a dance partner — one of the Asian pro players — but she must have seen I was moving to the music in my seat nearby. I did one of those “Who, me?” things, and looked around behind me. No one was there, so it only seemed proper that I join Linda and her friend Ed Galvin, Clonie and her dance partner, plus three other couples grooving to “Play That Funky Music.”
My dancing reminds me of that country song: “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.”
Breathless, I was only too glad the deejay played a slow song next. Since I was the odd man out, I headed straight to the bar for a cooling diet Pepsi.
Later, as we were leaving, I teased Linda: “Do you always have this much fun on your poker cruises, too?” The partner for Card Player Cruises smiled and said, “You bet. Come join us sometime!”
Maybe, Linda. First I’ve got to build my stamina so I can keep up with you!
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