Tony’s in a suit, looking damn fine to start the day.
Tony G. and Mike Matusow right before the final table. They share a great moment of camaraderie.
Mike talks about looking at the field of 28 players left in the event and when he looked it over, he said there were 27 of the best players in the world.
There’s only one player that Mike didn’t know the name of, but Tony knew his name - an Italian player - so everyone at the table is a big name.
Tony and Mike talk about the fact that they knew the table wasn’t expected to be televised but the location of the final table was disappointing, there is no place for spectators to sit and watch. Mike dubs the table as the Black Box Junior of Hellmuth of last year’s corner because there were 8 bracelets, 12 WPT titles, and over $26M in tournament winnings at this final table.
Tony says it’s a big mistake but is interrupted by Mike…it’s hard to tell who will out talk who. The conversation continues into the TV side of poker, Harrah’s policies and fees charged and insurance coverage appears to be an issue with final table taping.
Tony says Nolan Dalla came up to him and told Tony that he had to put a show on because every final table had been boring. Tony realizes that bureaucracy and red tape cuts into the fun of the competition…Nolan has no choice.
Tony suggests that they not be negative and Mike cuts in to say that he will play his best. They talk back and forth about who will be playing with them - Mike does most of the talking. Mike says, “If I don’t win, I don’t know who to pull for…”
Tony interjects and tells Mike that it’s his blog to butt out…*laughter as they shoulder bump each other*
Tony has the microphone and camera back to himself as he expresses the fact that Harrahs has to wake up and realize that if they get some power players in there and they can make a show out of poker and get the crowd in there and get excited, they need to do it.
Melissa and Tony talk about the fact that if fans want to come in and watch, they should be able to. Tony says that players are looked upon as a commodity.
Tony goes on to say that “…this is life, we’ve got to enjoy it, we’ve got to play well…and hopefully, we’ll win.”
Tony invites Barry Greenstein to the blog. Barry talks for a moment about the players left in the event and Barry states that it will come down to one player having a good night in the end. He says he hopes, “I’m the one with the good night.”
Barry and Tony talk about the fact that there was no scheduled event to go up on stage and the ‘insurance’ for the crowd being insured. Barry says poker is a very dangerous sport…
Tony invites Erick Lindgren (E-Dog) to the blog and they visit.
Tony and Melissa talk about Tony’s game plan and Tony talks about pulling off a huge bluff and he’s really happy about that. And then it’s time to go, Tony’s in action.
Melissa Castello from PokerNews.com
