Jennifer Newell

Sorry I've been out of touch! Between long days at the WSOP and a number of writing assignments on the side, I haven't had much time to spare. But it seems you've had Mark Newhouse blogging (almost) daily, so there ya go.

By the way, Mark, I'm liking your blogs. You funny.

Guess what's interesting at the WSOP? As far as tournaments go, not much! Many of the players who go deep in these tournaments are not recognizable names or faces, and though I'm sure they're all worth getting to know, I don't know them. And as a tournament reporter with limited access to tournaments (ask Harrah's about that one), I don't get to see the tables play out, and I haven't had time to chat with any of the winners. Bummer! Next year, I'll be here as a freelancer and take the time to get some good stories.

I do like spending more time with members of the media than ever before. I'm getting to know people whose words I had read but faces I'd never seen. And I still hope to spend more time with people like Gary (Wise, that is), Tiffany Michelle, Pauly, Change100, and others who are here in the trenches with me.

I'm getting anxious for the main event. In the meantime, if I see one more no-limit hold'em tournament, I may lose a little more sanity. Seriously, Negreanu is right; this is becoming the World Series of No Limit Hold'em. But I'll also say that there's nothing much more boring that watching a limit hold'em tournament. I'm sure it's better when the hole cards are available, but geez! Those limit events are slooooow.

There are some interesting happenings here. Vinnie Vinh has graced us with one (possibly) drug-related disappearance during this WSOP, and he may have just done it again. Meth? Crack? The rest of the story has yet to come out. Eskimo Clark had a stroke last week, and he's back this week, hanging out in the smoking area, cigarette in hand. Yesterday, he needed medical attention twice in the Razz tournament, and now he's sitting at a final table today. Many players are very on edge, just waiting for him to keel over. And Phil Hellmuth won his 11th bracelet last week. I don't need to say anything about that; Phil will tell you how great he is.

Now, I'd better get back to work. If you haven't made it out to the Rio this summer to check out (or participate in) some of the action, it's worth consideration. Despite my negative take on things at times, it's definitely something to see or be a part of...