Adjusting And Autographs

My first month in Singapore have been nothing but short of awesome. Going to all these exotic locations, meeting all sorts of people and eating different kinds of foods have been really great. Everyday I learn something new about this unique and diverse society and wake up every morning what kind of surprises it will bring for me.

My poker life here has been relatively quiet. As I mentioned in my previous blogs, poker is illegal here, unless played for fun with no money involved amongst friends. Played a couple of times with some of the locals and had really fun, would've been more fun if I had won money instead of losing. Hehe.

With regards to the BetFair Asian Poker Tour which concluded several weeks ago, props go out to the local Singaporean who made it to the final table and heads up with Tony G for the title. However, the poker gods were smiling on the Bad Boy, as Tony G took it down after an intense one-on-one battle which seemed like to last forever. As I mentioned also earlier, I had gone to this tour mainly to watch some of the worlds greats play, and maybe get their autographs. As I entered, I saw John Phan playing on one of the featured tables. After he folded a hand preflop, he stretched and looked around and happened to see me. He smiled and nodded his head as I said Hi, probably recognizing the over-anxious dude who asked for his autograph the previous night. As I scoured for floor for other pros, I saw Mel "Silverfox" Judah and asked for a pen from one of the floor staff and right before the tournament began, went up to him and asked for an autograph. He looked at the signature on the card, and asked me, "whos this?". "John Phan", I answered rather giddily. "Ah, my friend the razor!", he told me. I then asked Mel (first name basis na kami, walang kokontra! hehe), "Is Gus Hansen still in?" "He still is, think hes over there.", pointing towards the entrance of the tourney area. I push my luck and ask, "Whats he wearing?" Several of the players on the table tell me he's wearing white sweater with hood with a Full Tilt logo. "Just shout out 'Gus!', and if he turns around, that must be him.", Mel tells me while laughing. I head over where he pointed and see a rather large crowd forming already. And then I see him, the Great Dane looking serious and poised as ever. I stay there and watch him and maybe learn something. To my dismay, he was folding most of the hands he got, and won only a couple which he raised preflop with. He was talking with other dutch players on the table, obviously in a good mood while laughing and smiling with the table. I borrowed a pen from the floor staff again when the TD announced a break and went to Gus for an autograph, "Sure", he said. Of all the friggin luck in the world, the pen had no ink. So I borrowed another from another floor staff, guess what? Still no ink. So I borrowed another one rather quickly and he said, "This one will hopefully work", and it did. He smiled and I thanked him. Thats when the swarm of people asked for autographs from him as well. As I was about to leave, I saw Tony G talking with some of the floor staff and decided to go for the trifecta that night. As he followed another guy to the refreshment section, I tapped him on the shoulder and said rather sheepishly, "Can I get your autograph Mr Tony G, sir?" "Sure no problem. Are you from Singapore?" "No, Im from the Philippines, I just work here" "Really, Philippines? There was a tourney there, the ... the ... PAPT! Did you play in that?" "No, I didnt. Thats a little above my bankroll" "Oh I see (laughs). Did you play here?" "Not as well, didnt make it to the registration on time. Maybe next year" "Great to hear it" "Im Mike by the way", I say while I stick my hand out to introduce myself. "Hi Mike, so nice to meet you" "Good luck Tony" "Thanks" Ah, my brush with greatness! Quite a witty repertoir, if I dont say so myself. Hehe. "I think I did what I came here to do", I tell to myself as I exit the Mandarin hotel happily.

Been playing alot of PokerStars over the last couple of weeks thanks to finally having internet at my place. I placed quite deep in the $ 4.0 + 0.40 180 person SnG and busted out when my AQ fell to pocket sixes and just got double my buy-in after being chip leader for quite some time. Played in 11fingers tourney last night and placed third in the turbo one. Also played a little $0.01/0.02 ring game and managed to make a $4 profit. Will try this since not been as ok with my SnG the last couple of days. Still havent found a regular bunch of people to play live with yet. Taught couple of my buddies from the Philippines who moved here but they suck, LOL!

Thats all for now. If I do well in those $4 MTTs, will post ASAP. Btw, does anyone have a copy of Bryans WPT win? One of my poker friends from PH happened to see it and saw me hi-five the champ. If anyone has a copy, please drop me a comment.

Thanks for reading! Peace!