Travis Rice Wins Aruba Poker Classic

by Gene Bromberg

In contrast to the small turnout at the
Turks and Caicos WPT event held the
previous week, the UltimateBet Aruba
Poker Classic boasted a field of 546,
including top pros such as Phil Hellmuth,
Mike Matusow, Freddy Deeb, Annie Duke
and Joe Sebok.

The fact that the age requirement to play
in Aruba is 18 attracted some of the top
online players in the world, including
Annette "Annette_15" Obrestad, who
recently won the World Series of Poker
- Europe Main Event. Obrestad didn't make
it past Day 2, and the other big names in
the field fell by the wayside as we reached
the final table.

Perhaps the best-known player among
the final six was Travis "TravestyFund" Rice,
and the online superstar dominated the
final table on his way to the victory and
the $800,000 first prize.

As with previous Aruba Classics the final
table was held outside, and the players
had to deal with the heat (both from the
sun and the TV lights) as well as a stiff
breeze that threatened to blow the cards
off the table.

After the sun went down it cooled off,
but the TV lights attracted swarms of
insects, including a gigantic dragonfly
that repeatedly buzzed Rice's head.

Labyrinth of Avarice

by: Paul McGuire

After spending a substantial amount of time within the milieu of Las Vegas, I've come to the conclusion that partying and gambling as a temporary visitor in Sin City is a million times more enjoyable than living there for work, particularly during the two months in the middle of summer when the World Series of Poker is underway. I understand the plight of the unfortunate souls who have to toil in resort towns or other holiday hotspots as the resentment builds against those they have to serve and be around daily... tourists.

I travel frequently for both work and pleasure and spent the last three years on the road following the poker tournament circuit. I prefer hanging out with travelers more than tourists. There's a vast difference between a traveler and tourist and if you have to ask me to clarify that gap, then I'm afraid that you're a tourist in life.

Sadly, after living in Las Vegas on and off over the last three years, I have grown frustrated with the... Continue reading Labyrinth of Avarice