PartyPoker Million V Day 1

Party Poker

Day 1: Sunday, March 12, 2006

Ah, Ft. Lauderdale.  Sunny beaches, ocean air….and lots and lots of people trying to get on cruise ships.  It’s the beginning of spring break for many folks and, more importantly, the beginning of another awesome poker cruise for all the obsessed card sharks out there.  I happen to be dating one of those obsessed card mongers and dang it, he happened to pull me along with him on the Party Poker Million V cruise.  So while he drools over his pastime, I get to do a few of my favorite things—people watch, play in the water and enjoy being drenched by the sun.  Be warned—my perspective is that of a non-poker player, but an astute observer…

I have to say, the worst part of going on a cruise is trying to get on the boat.  Today was no exception.  We started the day waiting with several eager cruise-goers to catch a shuttle bus from our hotel to the ship.  One thing was definite as we piled on to the shuttle:  everyone was ready to get started with what they came for.   “Anyone have a deck of cards?  Let’s get a game going while we’re waiting,”  someone ventured from the back of the van.   A response from the middle row,  “ I don’t know how to play, you’ll have to teach me…”  We hadn’t even made it to the dock and the bluffing had begun.

Once at the dock, the confusion of where to put our bags and what paperwork to fill out was inevitable.  And then another LONG line to register and get our stateroom keys.  Then all the folks playing in the Hold ‘em tournament had to find another table to pick up their info. Packets.  T.K. was pretty disappointed when all he received was a leather binder (which I gladly said I could use) but no mystery goodie box that some of the other players were sent onboard with.  Apparently, he would get his box once on the ship.  The truth is, there was probably all kinds of useless promotional material in that box.  The kid in both of us came out dreaming up what treasures MIGHT be in those boxes. 

We finally made it on the ship and into our fantastic stateroom.  I’m very impressed—we’ve got our own little private veranda overlooking the ocean and I think I might even have enough room in here to do a little yoga!  After wandering around the ship for a bit, T.K. is getting excited.  There are a few people he thinks he recognizes as pros and we keep hearing snippets of folk’s poker experiences.  It’s a good thing T.K. got me hooked on the World Poker Tour or I wouldn’t have a clue what “aces over eights” or “I got rivered” meant.  I even recognized the great Mike Sexton.  He is THE voice of poker!!  Here’s to a week full of “boats” and “Ace kickers”….

If you're interested in becoming a partner in Thoroughbred Horse Racing, visit my friend's site.