Scott Diamond

Sunday February 24th, 2008 its Three Thirty in the morning and I awaken to this buzzing sound. At first I think I am dreaming,but I quickly realize it is time to get up and start the day.This is going to be a little different than normal,because today will not only be a work day,but The Second Annual Memorial Poker Classic Day!

I get started with the three "S" as I like to call them, shit shower and shine.I finish putting some Items for the Charity Event in my Truck and off I go to 7-11 to get my morning cup as I drive into downtown Los Angeles for work.There are some mornings I don't think I am even fully awake as I often realize "I am here already, where did Irwindale go" ..hmmmm had I sleep drove? Anyway as I pull into the 20 story building where I work and drive down to the 4th floor underground to park,I turn off my windshield wipers as it has been pouring with rain all the way into work. I think to myself the rain is going to be a blessing in disguise for the tournament tonight. No one will be doing outdoor activities due to the rain and now they may decide to go out and play some poker in the warmth confines of the Bicycle Casino.

It turns out to be a very quiet Sunday morning at work. I thought Murphys Law was going to sneak in here today and not allow me to make the charity event.The people of LA cooperated and as 1pm rolled around (I left 2 hours earlier then normal) I was out of my uniform and heading down to the Bike to meet my right hand man Craig MCclleland. Craig is also a Deputy and if not for him this event would not be the same. He has helped me immensely the past two years and I truly thank him for his hard work and dedication,this event would not have got off the ground without his help.

Rich from Full Tilt Poker arrives with some fantastic gear and we start setting up all the gifts and prizes we have for this event. It was a lot more work than I thought and my wife arrived to help us stuff all the Full Tilt bags with hats,shirts,coins and magazines from All-In and Bluff.

People start arriving just before three and Linda Johnson and Jan Fisher who flew in from Sctty Nguyen's event in Oklahoma this morning so they could be here for this event, arrive.

Allyn Jefferey Shulman who I met the night before at Robert Turner's 60th birthday party arrives and wants to know why there are competitor magazines here and not Card Players.We have a great discussion with Linda and Jan and Allyn gives me her card and tells me to call her when next years event is planned. Allyn is a wonderful women and I thank her very much for her support and taking time to attend this event. A lot of people told me they were going to come and only Chad Brown and Minh Nguyen and John Vorhaus kept there word. Mark Seif,Kenna James Antonio Esfandari,Chris Bell,Gavin Smith are forgiven because they were playing day two of the Main Event of the LAPC and I know if they were out,they would be here supporting this event.

There were 119 entrants and after a great buffet dinner and some introductions of some of the attendee's, as well as Lindas and Jans intro,Linda said those famous words all Poker players love to hear,"Shuffle up and Deal"!!

We followed all the tournament rules except for one. Denny Williams the tournament Director at the Bike who was instrumental in getting this event here tonight,told everyone they had a choice if the dropped the "F" bomb word. You could pay a $10.00 fine or take a 2 round penalty. I think we made 3 or 4 hundred dollars because of this rule. You had to be here to see it. People were reaching into their pockets and pulling out money,slapping it on the table and then letting loose with the word. It set a trend and made it for a very jovial evening. Denny even saw the fun we were having and jumped in and began to play as Ron Kramer and Mark Taylor ran the rest of the show and catered to those who yelled "Re-Buy"(Denny ended up taking third place and the 40 inch LCD Sony Television)

I have to mention here a class act. After the first hour we had our raffle and gave the players a chance to win some great gifts and due some add ons for $100.00 or $200.00. Full Tilt brought in a Genuine Full Tilt Jersey with Phil Ivey's Name and Number on the back and Phil penned his name on one of the numbers on the back of the jersey. ( He wears number 11)My good friend, Jim Pittman, who also bought us our Poker Coins this year had the winning bid on the autographed Laker ball for $700.00 got into a bidding war with some very nice lady for the Full Tilt Jersey and ended up the highest bidder at $325.00.It was obvious the lady was disappointed because she had said Phil is her favorite player. The lady was seated right behind Jim at another table and as I collected the money, Jim gave the Lady the jersey he had just paid for. Now that is CLASS! Jim thank you for all of your support. You may not be able to spell poker (LOL) but you have a heart of gold! When I announced to the crowd what Jim had just done he got a standing ovation.

Well to make a long story short the tournament ended at 12:30 am and I had to go to work this morning after 2 hours of sleep so I am just a little tired typing here. I busted out 21st when my 99 went all in against 77 and 44 and a 7 came on the turn. It was a fantastic evening thanks to Linda and Jan. Mark put a $250.00 cash bounty on the both of them so they had to dodge several bullets. Jan made the final table taking 5th and for our months of hard work the fallen heroes Charity is around $22,000 richer. This should be able to help a lot of people this year and I have to thank so many for their help. I will write another blog later this week thanking everyone who helped and donated to our cause.

Please take Care and be safe!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good night.