I enjoyed so much seeing all my chip and poker friends at the convention. I have never had so much fun in my whole life. Each convention just gets better and better.

Andy fed me Monday night when I arrived. That meal was half of the bet I won with him recently. Then it was off to the poker room for a terrific satellite for an entry into the next day's event. Congratulations Brian on that win.

Tuesday brought event 2 of the WSOP. Several of us played, with Doug Smith outlasting us by quite a bit. None of us made it to day 2 though. That evening was The 6th Annual Chip Board Get-Together. As near as I can tell we had between 160 and 170 people show up for that. It was the biggest one yet. Gene Trimble and the Palms gave everyone a very nice soft insulated cooler. Thanks to Sheldon & Christine Smith for making all the name tags so that old people like me could at least act like we knew everyone's name.

I don't remember what I did during the day on Wednesday, but I'm sure it had something to do with poker. I played a TON of poker this trip. That evening was another great banquet. Kruse came through with another great speaker. Eric and Gene were inducted into the Hall of Fame. The food and friends were GREAT.

The show opened Thursday. I had a great time talking with everyone and catching up. That evening was the Club Poker Tournament. What fun that was! Even though I placed 39th, I still cashed as I had a $50 "last longer" bet with Andy. This was the first year that I stayed at the tourney until it was completely over. Don Logerwell's lovely wife Pat did very well in the game. I don't remember where she finished, but several of us now suspect that it is her that has been playing online on Wednesday nights instead of Don. LOL Wendy Becker won it, and Len "Glenn" Cipkins came in 2nd. Steve "Screwy Louie" Passalacqua placed around 5th. What fun it was. Thanks to Steve Bedo for the ride back to the Riviera. 5 of us squeezed into his truck for that ride.

Friday, more show, more fun. That evening, 18 or so of us poker regulars followed Don Loggerwell over to the Stardust where they set up a couple tables for us. Next time I do that I will bring a wireless mouse with me so that I feel more at home when I am playing with those guys. LOL

Saturday came quickly and before I knew it the show was over. I added several new chips to my collection that day. That evening I got spanked at the poker table by a tiny little girl who started with $40 and left a couple hours later with over $700. Mark Lighterman will attest to that as he was sitting there getting spanked also.

Sunday, Bob Whiteman, one of the original limostuds and I spent most of the day going from place to place winning money and having a good time. We ate lunch at the Peppermill that day with Doug Smith. I love that place. It is the best place to eat in Las Vegas as far as I am concerned. That night I went up early because I had to leave at 7AM to catch my flight home.

I met some people in person for the first time this year, Pam Holmgren, David Feavel, Tammy and Darrell Lynch, Jane Voller, Ellen Springer and Mike Clemente (sp?). I probably met 10 or so other people for the first time also, but my memory is short so please forgive me if I didn't mention you.

As usual, the BEST part of the convention is having fun with all my friends. I feel so blessed to have become part of this group that consists of some of the most friendly and most fun to be around people on the whole planet. You know who you are. Thanks for letting me be a part of it.

Greg