GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM!
So.... I'm here in the posh InterContinental Ha Long Bay in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam for the USOP Vietnam Ha Long Bay series. Was that enough Ha Long Bay for you?
Once again, doing some media reporting for somuchpoker.com (SMP) with the live reports, updates, recaps - you know the drill. I'm here working with my fraternity brother Derrick Elomina, which is a treat of some sorts. Way back three years ago, my friend Triccia David (who was with SMP at that time) was asking if I could write for poker. I didn't take the offer at the time, but I did have recommendations. Derrick ended up being one of them. Fast forward to today and he is still with SMP, doing coverage and so much more. He's been able to travel around, have the time of his life and gain some weight.
When I finally decided to take the opportunity of the poker writing job, I had the chance to work with Derrick in the USOP Grand Finale Hai Phong and some festivals in Manila. Also, I worked remotely from home while he was out in the field wherever. Today, we're reunited again in Vietnam, sharing the same room and keeping things together for SMP and the USOP during this series. Good times!
Apart from Derrick, it's an honor and a pleasure to be reunited with the people from USOP. Back in Hai Phong, they were very kind and hospitable. They still are! Shout out to Adrian, Jack and Paul Lee and everyone else. You guys are amazing and it's such a pleasure to be hanging out with you guys again.
Also great to run into Noel Zarate, Ron Regis and Poly Pineda - the wonderful commentating and media team for USOP. Was with Noel and Poly back in Hai Phong, and it's always comforting to see familiar faces.
Anyway, the schedule of work here can be real hectic with just me and Derrick to lift all the load, so when I get a chance to take a break, I hope to take full advantage of it. Like, for example, last night.
Our coverage for the Day 1A of the Mini Main Event ended quite early, so i was able to jump in at the Super Hyper Turbo. I did pretty OK. I spun the 12K starting stack to a respectable 35K within the first 6 levels (remember, it's Super Hyper Turbo)... and then in one effin' hand...
I sat on deuces on my big blind and defended from one raiser. Flop came 2-4-5. I checked, he bet. I raised all in. He called. I showed my set. He said, "Ahh, I knew it!" He showed Sevens, then the river threw a seven, hitting a two-outer. Motherfudgeness.
My stack got severely crippled. A few rounds later, I committed with 33 and ran into snowmen. Bye bye. Well, at least I had fun. It was also interesting to be sitting with the players I usually just write about. Had some interesting convos with the Russians and a Korean, who was very interested in the work that I do as a poker media writer/reporter. I usually do the interviewing. Hahaha.
Anyway, we're on Day 5 here now and the schedule will just get a little more hectic as more events are ticked off the calendar. But I'm having fun. Cheers!
Anyway, the schedule of work here can be real hectic with just me and Derrick to lift all the load, so when I get a chance to take a break, I hope to take full advantage of it. Like, for example, last night.
Our coverage for the Day 1A of the Mini Main Event ended quite early, so i was able to jump in at the Super Hyper Turbo. I did pretty OK. I spun the 12K starting stack to a respectable 35K within the first 6 levels (remember, it's Super Hyper Turbo)... and then in one effin' hand...
I sat on deuces on my big blind and defended from one raiser. Flop came 2-4-5. I checked, he bet. I raised all in. He called. I showed my set. He said, "Ahh, I knew it!" He showed Sevens, then the river threw a seven, hitting a two-outer. Motherfudgeness.
My stack got severely crippled. A few rounds later, I committed with 33 and ran into snowmen. Bye bye. Well, at least I had fun. It was also interesting to be sitting with the players I usually just write about. Had some interesting convos with the Russians and a Korean, who was very interested in the work that I do as a poker media writer/reporter. I usually do the interviewing. Hahaha.
Anyway, we're on Day 5 here now and the schedule will just get a little more hectic as more events are ticked off the calendar. But I'm having fun. Cheers!
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