Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - HollywoodDave
Well my peeps, another week, another FT, baybee! I went down to the Hard Rock here in Vegas (haven’t really left since the WSOP ended lol) the other day to play in the first event of their new Megastack series. Its the first time they’ve put on an official series of events (as opposed to running just dailies etc) so I figured it would be off the radar a bit and ripe with donkalicious rockers ready to be taken down by yours truly. And it did not disappoint!
The field had a couple scattered semi-pros but for the most part these guys loved to drink & wear their tells on their sleeve. There were only about 100 people total playing this inaugural event, and before i knew it i was super deep and approaching the money bubble. What was really awesome as well was the structure of this tourney was really well thought out — usually in the deepstack events at the Venetian or Caesars or whatever, despite how many chips you start with, two or 3 hours in the structure starts skipping crucial levels that make the majority of the field suddenly shortstacked, no matter how many chips in front of them. Not so here at the Hard Rock — even though it took more than 12 hours to go from 100 to the money, i never felt as if the structure skimped on any necessary levels, which made for a lot of great play.
I ran pretty good, picking up big hands often enough — and more importantly, getting paid off on them as well — til inevitably I got my JJ cracked by 77 about 5 people from the money. I still made it to the FT ok but never could recover… it was one of those pots that woulda made me the mega chip leader or crippled, and of course it all came down to the fucking 7 on the river. It was a shame, because I really felt like I was the best player in the field at that point, at even shortstacked at the final table had a lot of confidence that i could still win by picking the right spots and getting the money in good.
Alas it wasn’t to be, and 7th is all I could pull. I ran into too many bigger hands when I had decent ones, and was too short to capitalize on my monsters. All in all, it was good to be back in live action, since one of the last live events I played was one of the Bellagio Cup event last month where I also final tabled (6th in that one). A good vote of confidence if nothing else!
Other than that, just been playing a lot online at UB and looking forward to Aruba. I’ve got that sick suite hooked up at the Occidental next door to the Radisson, and am planning to stay for a full week AFTER the poker party leaves the island… can’t wait! Also my pilot is now officially done & we are shopping international networks til October, then pitching domestically all fall after that. So HD will be back on air soon, bitches!
Alright, rock on, I’m out –
-hd.
Tags: Aruba, Bellagio, Caesars, Hard Rock, Hollywood Dave, Poker Poker Poker, poker tournaments, ub, Vegas, Venetian, WSOP
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Saturday, June 27, 2009 - Brandon Cantu
Well ladies and gentlemen; I have officially completed a deal to become UltimateBet’s newest sponsored pro. It is an exciting step for me and I am thrilled to be a part UB, a team that features both Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke. I believe UB has the best days ahead of them and I am certain that, not only do I feel I have much to contribute, I will be appreciated as an important asset to the team.
I attended Annie Duke’s charity event – “Sucking Out On The Rivers.” The event took place at the Hard Rock and obviously was a great way to raise more awareness and money following Annie’s Celebrity Apprentice run. The event was attended by pro players showing support. Andy Bloch, Joe Reitman, Joe Sebok, Howard Lederer, and now fellow UB teammates, Hollywood Dave and Matt Graham showed up, to name a few. The abundance of Annie impersonators and chill environment were added bonuses to the already good cause. Fun was had by all. I am a fan of the Hard Rock poker room. The bar is close and television sets are above most tables. As I stepped out for a phone call, I even spotted Phil Ivey throwing some dice.
All and all, it was the perfect day to announce that I was officially a member of UB. For me, joining a team is more than just putting on a patch. I want to be an active team member throughout. This event gave me an opportunity to do just that. From the red carpet to conduct some interviews to hanging out with some of the UB Pros, it was engaging. It was the ideal event that provided some excitement versus just a standard press release announcing my involvement.
Earlier, while I was working through my options for pro sponsorship, I strongly considered UB despite an unfortunate situation that had taken place. I must admit, I felt in the past as though UB handled things poorly. However, after spending time and working with Annie, my opinions have changed. I trust and know that she is monitoring all of UB and am confident that her involvement continues to translate over to other players’ opinions of the site. Not to mention Phil Hellmuth is also a friend. I know that both of these players would not continue to associate themselves to the brand should issues still remain potentially threatening. I believe UB has turned the corner and is committed to excellence. As I said, the best years of UB are ahead throughout online poker and I feel good about being a part of it as it happens.
As I look back on my first day on the clock for UB, I can recall a success: a great event showing UB Pros commitment to charitable causes, fellow UB Pros showing up to support and the fine environment throughout. This is a great start to what should be a very good year for both me and my UB team.
- Brandon Cantu
Tags: Annie Duke, Celebrity Apprentice, Hard Rock, Phil Hellmuth, Sucking out on the rivers, ub
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Sunday, June 7, 2009 - Scott Ian
The WSOP is here! Non-stop poker and partying for six weeks! Vegas is ripe with cash for the taking!!
And I’m on a plane from Paris to Madrid.
DAMN!!
Schedules can really be an asshole!!
Last year I played a whole bunch of events in June but had to leave town the day before the main event.
This year I am missing all of June and I get to Vegas in time to play day 1D of the main event. How’s this for a schedule: I play the Sonisphere Festival with Metallica in Hockenheim Germany on July 4th, drive to Frankfurt after the show. Fly Frankfurt – Dallas – Vegas on July 5th and should be checking into the Hard Rock around 6PM. I’ll head over to the Rio that night to buy-in for day 1D and then hopefully be able to sleep (jet-lag is an asshole too) and be 100% for the tourney. After I play days one and two I have to fly to Tulsa on July 9th for a show and then right back to Vegas the morning of the 10th for day 3. I’m sure you’re probably thinking, “Jesus Christ, that’s nuts, he’ll never make day 3” by now but I look at it as a sign that I am supposed to be there. Usually my schedule is so insane I have to miss a lot of stuff that I want to do in my life so the fact that it’s worked out that I can be there makes me feel good. It’s put a fire under my ass that I’m gonna ride to the final table. Oh yeah, I fly back to Europe on July 16!! The planets are in alignment!! Now I just need my hands to hold up.
I am currently in Europe on a promo tour for the new album, on a plane flying from Paris to Madrid.
I was just in London for two days and Paris for one doing interviews (29 so far) and the reaction to the record has been massive. Everyone is loving it. It feels really good to hear this kind of response after working so hard on Worship Music. I haven’t felt this kind of anticipation around a record release in forever.
I was in the studio in NYC up until two weeks ago and now the entire recording for the new Anthrax album Worship Music is finished. We were working non-stop, late night, early morning, 24/7 to make sure this record is going to be everything we’ve wanted it to be for the last two years. Dave Fortman (Slipknot, Mudvayne, Evanesence) started mixing and there are five songs finished so far; Earth On Hell, Bleed, New Noise, Burn The Past and Crawl. It’s sounding fucking great!!
Over the last week it’s been great to finally hear these songs with all the parts done. I can finally really feel what this album is about and it’s definitively Anthrax. There are so many little things on the record that bring me back to 1987 or 1993 and somehow it all works and sounds like 2009. All I can say is I’ve been listening to the mixes over and over and it’s so fucking cool and heavy and I can’t wait for all of you to hear this. OK, enough of me talking about myself, you my friends will make up your own minds!
I did get to take a break the other day and go see the Iron maiden movie Flight 666. The theater was packed and the atmosphere was more that of a concert than a movie.
The movie is amazing. The cameras follow the band on their World Slavery tour all around the globe with band, crew and all of their gear on the plane (Ed Force One!!) and Bruce flying it!! The movie looks and sounds great and the narrative is compelling. It’s really a great window into an amazing organization that we’ve been lucky enough to work with over the years (and hope to again!). If you’re a Maiden fan you have to see this. Actually, even if you’re not a fan of Maiden or Metal or even music you will like this. Maiden will
make you love them!!!
OK, I’m out. We’re starting our descent into Madrid.
I’ve been hitting the tables ($50 – $100 SnG’s) late night here in Europe. Maybe I’ll see you there. If not, I’ll see you in Vegas!!!
Cheers,
Scott
PS Good luck to Team UB this month. Take’em down to Chinatown!!!
Tags: Anthrax, Evanesence, Hard Rock, Iron Maiden, Mudvayne, Slipknot, Team UB, ub, Vegas, World Slavery Tour, WSOP
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Wednesday, June 3, 2009 - HollywoodDave
OK soooooo this week I’ve got something different for ya… here’s what I’ve been up to lately!
First, for an update on my first week at the WSOP, check out this vid I shot while kickin’ it with my girl MB at the Circus Circus Adventuredome the other day:
http://www.youtube.com/v/QB6S0xjw8to&hl=en&fs=1
Then, here’s some footage I shot at the Celebrity Apprentice finale with Andy Bloch, Beth Shak, Howard Lederer & the rest of Annie Duke’s family. Of course we all know by now that Donald ended up totally hosing Annie in the end but chekkit out nonetheless:
http://www.youtube.com/v/JMZGV2Haukk&hl=en&fs=1
Speaking of Annie Duke, here’s the ‘Sucking out on the Rivers’ charity tourney we all played at the Hard Rock last week…special cameo by UB’s newest pro player, Brandon Cantu:
http://www.youtube.com/v/7emouV8c7J8&hl=en&fs=1
And finally, no vidblog would be complete without gratuitous drunk footage of HD and MB jamming to some tunes at the recent Cinquo de Mayo charity poker event I played in Hollywood with Vern Troyer, Dean Cain, and a host of other B-listers last month:
http://www.youtube.com/v/uzMtoIO_9gQ&hl=en&fs=1
Alrighty then! Hope you guys enjoyed those…. rock on and more to come! You can see more of my vids at www.youtube.com/HollyDeezy and follow my daily WSOP tourney exploits live at www.twitter.com/Hollywood_Dave
later skater –
-hd.
Tags: Adventuredome, Annie Duke, Brandon Cantu, Celebrity Apprentice, Dean Cain, Hard Rock, Hollywood Dave, Sucking out on the rivers, ub, Vern Troyer, WSOP
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009 - Tiffany M
This will be a quick blog since there is so much madness surrounding the upcoming World Series of Poker AND because I’m WIPED out from the exhausting day I had.
I drove up to Vegas yesterday and moved into my home for the summer that I’m renting along with Maria Ho during our next few WSOP months. I was up bright and early this morning to head over to the penthouse at Hard Rock where I did a “hot girls of poker” photo shoot with Evelyn Ng and Erica Shoenberg for Knockout magazine. We had a fun time together getting the chance to be a little sexier than we usually are at the poker tables. I jetted straight from the photo shoot to catch a flight to LA which was grounded along with all of the rest of the flights from Vegas since President Obama was arriving in town. I was a bit peeved at my flight being delayed since I was already late getting back to LA for a meeting but getting to see Air Force One land was quite amazing… you don’t see THAT everyday!
Last time I blogged I was playing some really good poker resulting in consistent online cashes and final tables. My streak has continued and I recently took 32nd place in the first event at Commerce’s Cal State Poker Championships out of 1,800 players. I’m hoping this “good poker” trend carries into the WSOP, my first event will be on Saturday. I have realistic expectations for this year’s WSOP knowing how large the fields are in each tournament but that doesn’t mean I won’t remain optimistic. I’ve got my sights set on winning myself a purty little bracelet for my birthday next week! I’ll keep you posted.
(The photo below is one that I snapped on my phone with Erica and Evelyn at our photo shoot today.)
Tiffany Michelle
Tags: Air Force One, Erica Shoenberg, Evelyn Ng, Hard Rock, Knockout Mag, LA, Maria Ho, Obama, Poker Poker Poker, Vegas, WSOP
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Wednesday, February 4, 2009 - Scott Ian
Hello my friends how are ya? I apologize for the late blog, I’m still spinning from a combination of the Superbowl on Sunday and coming in 14th in the 200K. Thank god for Tivo as it seemed like every time there was a great play and the whole room would erupt in cheers I was involved in a hand and I’d miss it!! And then as I got deep into the tourney and would announce that I had AA or that I was shoving, the game would get paused and everyone would watch the poker tourney. Thankfully there was a lot to cheer about until I finally busted with 14 left.
Here’s the hand: Blinds 5K-10K, 1K ante’s. Middle position guy shoves with around 16K, SB shoves with 62K and I shove my 60K stack with 66. Middle position guy could have anything and I knew SB had to have something but I’d seen him play 89s and hands like that so I thought my pair was a race if not good. Long story short, SB had 88 and I was done. I guess I could’ve waited one more round but then I’d have 47K left. I had a lot of fun playing and didn’t suck out on anyone.
I’m feeling really good about my game right now. I’ve been consistently cashing in the $100 and $200 Sit & Go’s and going deep in MTT (I bubbled the 5K Sniper today, fucking BOO!!). I’m hoping it carries over live and allows me to do well in the LAPC this month.
I have something in the works for the site next month that I think you all are going to love. I can’t let the cat out of the bag yet until everything is confirmed but I can tell you it’s going to be something that you can’t do on any other site. It’s going to be available to all levels of player and it’s going to ROCK!!! Stay tuned……..
I read about the WSOP removing the rebuy events from the 2009 schedule and then I read what a lot of the pro’s had to say about it. It’s not going to affect me personally because I wasn’t planning on playing any rebuy events but in my humble opinion (if you care!!) I think it’s a good move. The rebuy events definitely give an edge to the pro’s and the high level cash game players or just rich dudes in general. I guess I just feel you shouldn’t be able to “rebuy” a bracelet. OK, start tearing me a new one.
I played in a charity event at the Hard Rock in Vegas last week. It was called POW and it’s all about saving our winters. The field was mostly pro snowboarders and snowboard industry people with a few poker pro’s (saw Todd Brunson) and rock dudes mixed in. It was a lot of fun and I somehow made it down to 25 people with the bad structure and all. At least I was taken out by my buddy John Dolmayan from System Of A Down. I’ll get you next time buddy. My friend Greg from Mudvayne lost his stack set over set (J’s into K’s). It was brutal.
That’s it my friends. See you at the tables.
Cheers,
Scott
Tags: Hard Rock, LAPC, Poker Poker Poker, Superbowl, Todd Brunson, Vegas
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