Around the WSOP with Lynn Gilmartin: Week #2
How the heck is Event #17 starting today? It feels like the 42nd Annual World Series of Poker only just started, and now suddenly we're up to our 17th event? As the old saying goes: Time flies when you're having fun!
This is my third year covering the World Series of Poker for PokerNews and this year has, by far, been my favorite. Perhaps it's just because I'm no longer the petrified poker-noob that I was in 2009, or maybe it's because each time I walk down the hallway of the Rio I see at least one face that I've befriended throughout the various poker tours that I'm so lucky to have followed over the years. Or perhaps because I laugh all day, everyday when I'm at work because I work with the best team in the universe. Whatever it is, I'm loving it.
For each of my blogs during the WSOP (credit to WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel for the new and fitting title) I'm going to compile a collection of my favorite videos from that week. Here are my top four from this week (and last), starting with a little guided tour of the Rio from myself, Sarah Grant andKristy Arnett.
My all-time favorite Calling the Clock was conducted by Kristy Arnett last week on Everybody Loves Raymond's Brad Garrett. I met Brad last year when he hosted Ante Up For Africa and he had me in fits of laughter the entire time. This guy is absolutely hilarious. I don't know how he keeps going — he never stops entertaining! Kristy was lucky enough to score a VIP invitation to his comedy club here in Las Vegas at the Tropicana during this video — if she doesn't take me then she's in big trouble!
On Tuesday I pulled Tom "durrrr" Dwan aside for a quick chat before he sat down at the $1,500 No-Limit Holdem Shootout event. I have to say, I have so much respect for this guy. For someone who is so successful and in such high demand from poker media, he has remained truly levelheaded. I've never seen him behave arrogantly, and he's always happy to help out the PokerNews team, from chip counts to interviews. We touched on a little poker and of course, a little Full Tilt Poker.
Last, to get things going for the PokerNews crew, we all got together for some beers and BBQ by the pool the day before our grind began. It was a fun afternoon getting to know the new guys and girls on our team and also seeking some predictions for the following video. As you can see, Matthew Parvis and I got off to a rough start to say the least. And for the record, I successfully soul-read Kristy and Sarah and they failed at pushing me in the pool, despite our creative camera editors making it look like they did!!
Follow @LynnGilmartin and @PokerNews on Twitter for up-to-the-minute news from around the 42nd Annual World Series of Poker.
