High Stakes Poker

Mike and I just returned from an 8 day trip to Vegas. The trip was a little slice of heaven. It started upon our arrival when our daughter, Natalie phoned to tell us she could not pick us up at the airport. She and Hoyt were at The Palms for a taping of High Stakes Poker and Hoyt had been called in to play. She told us to take a cab to the Palms and we could watch the taping. We arrived at The Palms to find them in the middle of taping. As we entered the room where the taping was taking place, we passed Jennifer Tilley on her cell phone. I knew immediately that Phil Laak was around somewhere. Upon entering the room we were greated and seated to a screen and headset. We were behind the curtains of the set and they had it set up where we could see and hear everything. The set looked liked a living room. Sitting at the table were David Gray, Daniel Negreanu, Eli Elezra, Barry Greenstein, Gus Hansen and the living legend of poker, and my poker idol, Mr. Doyle Brunson, in the flesh. I was excited beyond words. The last time I got to really see Doyle play close up was at The Bicycle Casino in 2004 when he won the Legends of Poker. I was priviledged to get to see that event and proud to be the ONLY person in the audience wearing a Doyle's Room baseball cap. Trust me, there was not a person there who wanted Doyle to win more than I did, including Doyle himself. It will always be one of my fondest memories of seeing the living poker legend win the Legends of Poker. In my opinion, no one deserved more to win than the legend himself, Mr. Doyle Brunson.

I met Mr. Brunson's nephew and received a new Doyle's Room cap, keyring and pen. It was like Christmas morning in May. I was so excited. It was very interesting to watch the players and hear all the table chatter, alot if not most of which will be edited out. It gave me alot of insight to the player's personalities. Out of respect for being allowed to be there, I won't comment on what I heard and saw, nor the outcome of the game as that just wouldn't be right. I can however, recommend highly that you tune in and watch the game! A big thank you to the crew who so graciously let us in and to the Palms folks who made sure after a long day of travel we had food and drink. The Palms folks were great!

We waited for hours for Hoyt to get called into the game. We saw players go and come but never Hoyt. Grinder and his wife Lily came onto the set and visited as did Jennifer Harmon and her husband Marco. Gavin Smith was there for a awhile AS were other noteable players. Finally it was down to Hoyt but Phil Laak who had been in the game earlier and left wanted back in so Hoyt and Phil more or less drew straws for the seat. Phil won and Hoyt was left waiting again.

We watched the taping until about 1:30 am at which time Hoyt who had grown tired of waiting decided to call it a night and go home. We were exhausted and glad to go to Hoyt and Natalie's and hit the hay.

Thanks again to the crew of High Stakes Poker and to the staff at the Palms. You made us feel welcomed and we appreciated the opportunity to watch.