It's all a blur

It's all a blur... no really.  Ever since the announcement from JR that he was moving to Austin,TX at the end of this month, it's like life's been kicked into overdrive for me.  In addition to planning on a drive with him to Austin to haul his worldly possessions, his going away party which was this past Friday night, I've also found myself in the role of event planner for the Fraternal Order of Eagles.  This was one of the many roles previously filled by JR that it just seemed logical that I'd fill.  I have no regrets... BUT I would just say that he is owed a tremendous thanks for all the level of effort that he put forward to this, getting it off the ground in the first place with the original Pop Evil/Spider Rockets concert which he put together what seems like ages ago!  It was a helluva trail he blazed so long ago, these will be some big shoes to fill but as I've continued to tell Big Ric of Results Radio and 103.1 The Bear, I will give my absolute best to make it all come together.  Let's just all hope that my best is good enough!  : )  If Big Ric tells me to do something... I'm doing it, without question or hesitation.  So, if somewhere along the way I fail to explain my actions or get too demanding of those around me, let me apologize in advance... but know that I'm just trying to make these events as great as they've been so far, and just keep the ride going for as long as we can.  Maybe even leave our new fan base BEGGING FOR MORE!!!

On the immediate radar for the continuing concert season, on July 30th, we have RED coming to play.  This is on its way to be yet ANOTHER sold out event!!!  JR will still be around for this one, but I'm shadowing him so closely at this point that if he stops too quickly I'm going to run into him!  Beyond RED looming on the horizon is Bearfest Resurrection on August 28th.  This is an ENORMOUS production!  I don't think anyone can even fathom it, including all of us who are working to make it happen.  There are 5,000 tickets printed for this outdoor concert!  Big Ric has put together a lineup of national talent that is amazing.  The fact that these bands are coming to Parkersburg, WV is mind-boggling!  This is not a large town, but this is really happening people!  Our current lineup includes headliner Saving Abel!!!  Then, the others on the Main Stage include: Cavo, NonPoint, Bobaflex, Taddy Porter, American Bang, Black Sunshine, and Atom Smash.  On the 2nd Stage, which will alternate during transitions: Noise Auction, State Your Cause, Zeroking, Jinx'd, and In Another Life. I'm looking at every square inch of available space to get people parked, fed, and sufficiently hydrated!!!  Anyone ever given thought to exactly how much beer that many rock fans can put away in a 12+ hour event day!!!  I have...

Virtually on the heels of this we are currently in negotiations for a mid-September concert (back inside the club this time, thank goodness.)  I'm not at liberty to announce anything about that lest Big Ric, "...gut me like a fish!"  (did i get that quote right?) There are also some glimmers out on the distant wasteland of the future that may bring some fantastic opportunities our way.  These are indeed exciting times!  I was always happy to be a part of it... just seems that my levels of intensity have been taken up a few notches!  My adrenaline levels have GOT to be off the chart!  I must confide, I hope I'm found worthy in the end (whenever that is.)  I'm honored to be here... and honestly, I wouldn't change a damn thing about the situation, despite the fact that it's all a FRIGGIN' BLUR!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

WSOP 2010 Main Event, we have a November Nine!!!

Yes, I'm a horrid, lazy, pre-occupied blogger!  But it was my vacation and the beach and many beers took up ALL my time.  Somewhere along the line with the aid of the sun I think I really have crossed a race boundary or two.  The whole family, along with the Jacksons, Morrisons and Wolfes had a fantastic time!  One day of rain threatened to keep us from the beach, but it cleared up and we still managed a few hours baking on the sands.  Beyond that it was just beautiful!  I got in several runs on the beach and just soaked in every once of sand and surf that I could.  Clearly, I'm an ocean kinda guy... maybe there is something to this Aquarius thing after all.  But enough about my beach-time.

When last I left off the WSOP was still weeding down the Tournament of Champion entrants in search of a winner...  I'm ecstatic to report that Huck Seed emerged as the winner of the $500,000 top prize!  An amazing victory in a stellar field of poker's best players.  Congratulations Huck!!!

Event #49 the $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em finally played down to a winner and crowned Michael Linn as its champion and coughed up the $609,493 top prize and bling!  Congratulations!

Event #50 $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha found a winner in Chance Kornuth as he took down the $508,090 top prize money.  A quick scan of the winners also reveals that Robert Mizrachi scored a cash and even Annette Obrestad managed to eke out a cash in the event.  But congratulations to "Chance."

Event #51 $3,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em awarded the top prize to Ryan Welch $559,371.  He managed to best the 965 player field to bring it home.  Congratulations on this first bracelet.

Event #52 $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed was not for the meek at that pricetag, but 191 ponied up the entry.  In the end 21 year old Dan Kelly took home the $1,315,518 top prize and the bracelet!  Another quick scan of winners and I see Daniel Negreanu managed to triple his cash in the event, finishing in 11th place.  But congratulations to Dan Kelly on this victory.

Event #53 the $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout found 548 players competing for the top spot, but in the end Brendan Taylor emerged victorious and $184,950 to the good, to go along with his new bracelet.

Event #54 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em crowned its weary champion Marcel Vonk who managed to best the 3,844 player field and take down the $570,960 prize and the WSOP bracelet.  Big Congratulations!

Event #55 $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship found a familiar face to crown champion in Daniel Alaei.  He takes home $780,599 for the victory and his third WSOP bracelet.  Congratulations!

Event #56 $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em finally wound its way to a close and Tomer Berda took home the $825,976 top prize.  Congratulations on the victory!

The $5,000 Ante Up for Africa Tournament was won by familiar face Phil Gordon who graciously donated his $130,641 win to the worthwhile charity! Out in the 2nd spot was Shannon Elizabeth...  Congratulations to all who cashed and even more so to all those who gave it all back!

And then came the grand-daddy event!  Event #57 the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Championship!!!  It's still playing its way down to the final 9 as I write this... 7,319 players began the journey, only 747 of them would take any cash home for their trouble.  They would play for days on end in hopes of becoming one of the final 9 and then disbanding only to return in November to play it down for all the world to see and provide the ESPN climactic spectacle on the air!  And as I am here writing this I was reading that there were 10 players left but just now Brandon Steven has been eliminated in the 10 spot with only a $635,011 pillow to soften the blow of missing the final November Nine!  Still remaining in the hunt which will resume are:

Jonathan Duhamel, John Dolan, Joseph Cheong, John Racener, Filippo Candio, Michael Mizrachi, Soi Nguyen, Matthew Jarvis, and Jason Senti. The top spot of $8,944,138 looms far out on the horizon for one of them.  The 9th spot will offer roughly a $811,823 payday.  Yeah, I think I'd very much like to HANG ON!!!  Congratulations on coming this far in it guys.  We will see you ALL in November!!!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Sick Puppies Concert 7-7-2010

Fantastic show last night at the Cleveland, Ohio House of Blues by headliner Sick Puppies!  Also appearing were My Darkest Day, It's Alive, and Janus.  Thanks to the phenomenal hookup of 103.1 The Bear's "Big Ric" we got to do a meet and greet with not only the guys from Janus, but then later with the Sick Puppies as well!  I was most impressed with the stage presence and performance of the Sick Puppies.  Vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Shimon Moore (middle) delivered a charismatic, adrenaline soaked performance which had the whole jumping!  Newest member/drums Mark Goodwin hammered the drumset from start to finish, with even a bongo-esque interlude in there for good measure.  The lovely and talented Emma Anzai (surprisingly soft-spoken) delivered a blistering performance on bass and added her own heat to the stage!  : )  The most memorable songs for me were Odd One with lyrics of "hey it's gonna be okay, hey we're gonna laugh at this one day!"  There's a life anthem in there somewhere!  Of course pulse pounding "You're Going Down" and the funny romp that Shimon delivered on a pseudo cover of Destiny's Child's "Say My Name" with some 'teeth' was just fantastic! 

I had an absolutely great time and met some extraordinarily talented people last night and sincerely hope I get the opportunity to do it all again in the future!

Long, dark, lonely drive home included an unexpected detour and running the gas-tank down to just a few fumes.  Good times, with good friends Jamie, Big Ric, and of course Uncle June! 

I'll get caught up on the WSOP soon, I promise gang, but life has just been a blur lately!  I leave late tomorrow night for a much needed Myrtle Beach vacation!  Hope all is well with each of you!

Regards,

cheer_dad

Bittersweet

We headed over to play poker last night at the Yanok's.  Teresa and I both made points and some cash, I in the first game and she in the second.  You know we have to spread it out a little!  It was another great fun-filled night over there with all the great people we get to hang out with. 

It was all a little bittersweet though since it was the last game that JR will be playing there, before he leaves for Austin, Texas and his new job come August 1st.  He, Teresa, Cole, and I (and even JJ stopped by) yesterday afternoon at the pool to soak up some rays and drink some beer.  It was a great day just hanging out and talking about good times.  We all wish him well on this new adventure... and sincerely hope that one day he returns to the 'burg.  JR, you are my best-friend, and I will miss you, but I understand that you have to do this.  Just know that there's a lot of people here in Parkersburg, WV that love and care about you and that it's not going to change, despite the distance that will separate us!  And now before I start blubberin' and getting the keyboard all wet from tears I'll end this post...

Take Austin by storm Uncle June!

Regards,

cheer_dad

And still MORE WSOP pokery goodness

Sadly, my blogging efforts as of late have been dismal failures. Eagles conventions, concerts, summer, family, friends, and well... you name it, it has all taken a seat closer to the front of the bus than has my blogging. I am sorry. But sometimes kidlets, "dems da berries." SOOOO, picking up where I left off:

Event #28: $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha has crowned its champion and awarded the $315,311 top prize to Miguel Proulx. Congratulations on the win! And I see now that blogger buddy SHAMUS covered that one. I enjoyed reading through your writing as always.

Event #29: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship has completed too, and awarded Matt Keikoan a 2nd WSOP bracelet. Way to go! Some other names I'm happy see make the money on this one, Brock Parker, Michael Mizrachi, and David Chiu.

Event #30: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em has completed and the $581,851 top prize and bracelet has been awarded to Mike Ellis. Congratulations on wading through the enormous field!

Event #31: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. awarded $256,820 to Konstantin Puchkov. Congratulations on your new shiny WSOP bracelet!

Event #32: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed has crowned a champion and awarded a first bracelet to Jeffrey Papola. To get there he outlasted 567 players, and then ultimately came to heads up play with Men Nguyen, who certainly made him work for it. Congrats to him!

Event #33: $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha was awarded to Jose-Luis Velador. He lays claim to $260,517 and the WSOP bracelet. Congratulations.

Event #34: $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em Championship has ended as well and unfortunately I can't say that my good friend Vince got to the winner's circle. But he's returned from Vegas with a story or two to tell though. On the other hand a winner ultimately emerged in Harold Angle. He pockets the bling and $487,994 for outlasting the 3,142 players. Congratulations.

Event #35: $10,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship found its winner in Ayaz Mahmood. Congratulations to him. It's also good to see lovely lady Vanessa Rousso finishing in the #5 spot! : )

Event #36: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em has its champion in Scott Montgomery with $481,760 to go with his bracelet. Congratulations.

Event #37: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. I was really excited about this one. And when the dust settled the bracelet and the $329,840 went to one of my all time favorite poker players, Phil Ivey! Big congratulations!

Event #38: $10,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em Championship has awarded the top prize of $627,214 to Valdemar Kwaysser. Congratulations on a great payday.
Event #39: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout finally awarded the $381,922 to Steven Kelly. Congratulations.

Event #40: $2,500 Seven Card Razz awards $214,085 to Frank Kassela and his second bracelet! Big Congratulations.

Event #41: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better has its bracelet winner in Steve Jelinek and $245,871.

Event #42: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Dean Hamrick takes it down wading through the 2,521. He takes the bracelet and $604,222! Congratulations!

Event #43: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship the $611,666 top spot was awarded to Ian Gordon. Congratulations!

Event #44: $2,500 Mixed Hold'em Day. AND at LONG LAST Mr. Gavin Smith has secured his place in the club of WSOP bracelet winners!!! Gavin bested a field of 507 players to take home his FIRST EVER bracelet, not to mention the $268,238 top prize! Congratulations Gavin!

Event #45: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em. Jesse Rockowitz laid claim to the $721,373 and the top prize, wading through the 3,097 player field. Congratulations.

Event #46: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better. The top spot went to Chris Bell with the bracelet and a tidy prize pool $327,040. Congratulations.

Event #47: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em continues to drag on with 9 players remaining of the starting 3,128 players. Sorry folks I'm sure you're all a great bunch a guys but I don't know a one of you... sorry...

Event #48: $2,500 Mixed Event crowned a winner in Sigurd Eskeland and gained him $260,497 along with a shiny new bracelet.

As of Day 2 of the WSOP Tournament of Champions we find 17 players remaining of the 27 who began. Mike Matusow is currently in the lead with 85,500 in chips. The top nine will take home a paycheck, but currently 17 remain.

Event #49: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em continues to roll along with 23 of the starting 2,543 players remaining...

Event #50: $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha. Robert Mizrachi is currently on top of chip stack of this event. There are a total of 31 of the starting 460 players left.

Event #51: $3,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em still has 189 of 965 players remaining.

On tap to get started today Event #52: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed AND Event #53: $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout.

And with THAT lengthy recap... I'm spent! Thanks for coming by the blog.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Still more WSOP goodness...

Event #20 $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha John "Tex" Barch takes home WSOP gold and $259,919.  Congratulations to him!

Event #21 $1,500 Seven Card Stud, Richard Ashby take home $140,467 and the bling.  Congrats...

Now, the pictures on PokerNews.com truly reflect excitement in this next winner.  Event #22: $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship.  In this one Vanessa Hellebuyck  takes down $192,132 and besting 1,054 other ladies... or pseudo/wanna be ladies...  Congratulations.

Finally, Event #23: $2,500 Limit Hold'em / Six Handed, brings us a name we know and love.  Dutch Boyd takes down his second bracelet and $234,065.  Congrats Dutch!

Event #24: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em brought us a winner on Day 4 with Jeff Tebben coming out on top and taking home $503,389 for the effort.  Congrats.

And HELL YEAH!  I really should be following along much closer.  Event #25: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship find Sam Farha coming out on top with $488,237!  I like Sam, if you don't leave the blog... now! 

Event #26: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed is now in the books and has Willam Haydon as the victor!  A not too shabby $630,031 prize and bling for his effort!

Event #27: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better finds a winner in David Warga  who finds a prize of $208,682 for the effort.

Event #28: $2,500 Pot-Limit Omaha, is down to the final 7 looking for a winner still.

6 of 171 entrants remain in Event #29: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship.  425,969 still awaiting a winner.

Event #30: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em continues with 91 of 2,394 players remaining. 

Event #31: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E.finds 72 of 828 still in the hunt.  The last noted bustout was Tom Dwan!

Event #32: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed has far too many to speculate!  318 of 568 remain.

And finally I'll mention 2010 World Series of Poker
Event #33: $2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha, which is for all intents and purposes "just" getting under way!

I'm dog tired!  work, run, lift, and now eagles' convention is exhausting...  Yes, I'm a delegate and so I will not be at work tomorrow, if anyone cares.

Regards,

cheer_dad

Continuing WSOP goodness, personal updates too!

I know I'm WAY behind.  There's just been a lot going on!  But here's my WSOP 2010 catch-up post...

Event #11 $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em has been won by Simon Watt, who dashed the hopes of Tom Dwan's first WSOP bracelet.  Congrats to Watt for taking home the bling and the $614,248 top prize.

Event #12 $1,500 Limit Hold’em found Matthew Matros as the eventual winner taking home $189,870 for besting the field.  Congratulations.

Event #13 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em has also crowned it champion in Stephen Gee who pocketed a nice $472,479 sum. 

Event #14 $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball found Yan Chen coming out on top of the players, and taking home the gold and $92,817.  Yeah, I know it's not a whopping amount of money, but it'd sure put a dent in the ole mortgage!  Congratulations to him!

Event #15 $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship has its champion in Frank Kassela, who walks away with the WSOP bracelet and a tidy $447,446 prize for first!  Others who found there way to a decent payday in the event were Allen Kessler in 2nd, Jennifer Harman Traniello in 3rd, Steve Zolotow 4th, John Juanda in 5th.

SHEESH, I really AM behind on the series recap, huh!

Event #16 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed found a winner in Carter Phillips.  $482, 774 was a nice payday for him, congrats.

Event #17 $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em was won by Jason DeWitt.  He takes home $818,959 for his trouble!  Big congratulations to him!

Event #18 $2,000 Limit Hold'em... and the winner is Eric Buchman who takes home $203,607.  Yes, you'll recall Buchman as one of the November Nine from last year's 2009 WSOP!  Congratulations on a game well played.

Event #19 $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship's $294,314 top prize payday goes to David Baker.  In reviewing the folks who got paid in this one.  Baker is to be congratulated even more: Eric Cloutier, John Juanada, Erik Seidel, Daniel Negreanu, Andy Block, Yan Chen, and even Peter Gould.  Nice job!

Event #20 $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha is down to the final 4 at the time of my catching up on my reading!  Nenad Medic, Trai Dang John Barch, and Klinhammer Thibaut are all that remain all in search of the bracelet and $256,919.

Event #21 $1,500 Seven Card Stud has 6 players remaining of the 408 who started.  $140,467 awaits the eventual winner.

Event #22 $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship continues on with 71 of the original 1,054 remaining.  $192,132 awaits one lucky lady!  Of those remaining in the game I quickly recognize:  Liv Boeree, Mimi Tran, Linda Johnson, Evelyn Ng, and Lacey Jones.

Event #23 $2,500 Limit Hold'em / Six Handed has 49 of the original
 384 players remaining.

Event #24 $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em, 640 players remaining from the 1,931 who began the journey. 

Event #25 $10,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship is just getting underway.

Sorry guys, I just have little to say.  Despite being off work for a couple days this week, I have been incredibly busy.  Even on the days at work, I've been hitting overtime hours that I could do without, but seem somewhat essential. 

The Black Stone Cherry concert at the Eagles was a phenomenal success on Wednesday, with more than 800 people in attendance.  Fantastic show by both BSC and JINXD who opened for them.  My son got to meet the members of both bands.  I hung out with a number of them myself.  What a great bunch of guys and I see great success in their futures!  Any group with such talent and a great dedication and work ethic has what it takes to go the distance. 

In personal poker news!  Last night Big Red and I played cards at the Yanok's house.  I bubbled the money on game one (got points) and then in game two, Big Red and I chopped the 2 payout spots.  Lighter than usual turnout but a GREAT time nonetheless.  I drank a lot... too much of course and got to bed way too late.  Then, at 9am my dad showed up to continue working on the screening in of our back deck.  We worked on until 7pm!  The first couple of hours I know my sweat had a beer foam to it!  I survived and the deck is looking GREAT!  I'll try to get some pix up of it. 

Tomorrow I have to mow, and work some more on the deck.  But by 9pm tomorrow night my backside will be firmly planted in front of the TV for the Season Premiere of TRUE BLOOD!!!  Don't call me at that time... I will END you!  : P 

Regards,

cheer_dad