David Williams' Blog

I could give you a bunch of excuses for why I haven't updated, but the truth is I really haven't had much going on poker wise since my last update, and I just haven't felt like it. I have gotten a lot of emails complaining about the lack, and I apologize. I know that Daniel and Josh (two of the best poker bloggers out there) update with things going on in their personal lives, but mine is more about hands and the thoughts I have when playing. I have gotten many compliments from readers saying they like the quantity of poker content. During the WSOP I had about 10 updates or so. I haven't played a major tournament since then, thus the lack of updates. September should be a busy month of tournaments for me, so I hope there will be more updates. I am playing in the 10k WSOP circuit event at Harrahs Las Vegas on Sept 14. Next is the Borgata WPT (gotta improve on last years finish) in Atlantic City on Sept 19, and then I am considering returning to Aruba at the end of the month for the WPT event there. Also, I am donating 10% of all my tournament winnings for the month to Hurricane Katrina Relief. I placed 20th in the first event of the World Championships of Online Poker, which paid 6k, so $600 will be donated. Maybe this extra reason to succeed will force me to play smarter. If you want an easy way to help out the victims of the hurricane, Bodog.com is having a $5+$5 buy in tournament at 9pm est. Sept 8-12. 100% of the fees will be donated, and Bodog will be matching that amount for another donation.

I did have something pretty cool and exciting happen last weekend. A few weeks ago I got a call from the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City asking if I wanted to come to Miami for the MTV VMA weekend and appear at their poker event at the Style Villas. The Style Villas is this little convention like thing that goes on in conjunction with the awards, and all the celebs walk through see new products, and get thousands of dollars worth of free stuff, or swag as they call it. It’s pretty weird, companies giving away cell phones, clothes, jewelry, but I ain't complaining. I decided that there are major poker tournaments coming up almost every week, and that going to Miami was worth skipping the WPT Bike tournament. I arrived in Miami during the beginning of Katrina, but it wasn't that bad there yet. All the flights after mine were canceled, so I am lucky I got on that 7am flight.

This is getting a little long, so I'll skip the boring parts. I went to a VMA party one night with EDUB, a buddy I play poker with from NY. He was super VIP and our booth was right next to Diddy's and The Black Eyed Peas. We went pretty late, and Antonio eventually showed up and partied with us. I left around 4am to get some sleep, as I had to be up at 11am to attend the Style Villas. The next night I went to the party that Suge Knight was shot at, and met up with Calvin Ayre and the rest of the Bodog crew. They were sponsoring the event, and it was amazing. Stars everywhere. I hung with Calvin in the crew and had a pretty fun time. We cut out early for the next party at the same club I was at the night before, called The Mansion. Bodog ordered about 20 bottles of liquor and champagne and the party was on. We stayed til about 6am and I had to get some rest, the VMAs were the next day and I didn't want to miss it.

Bodog got me 2 tickets to the show with Calvin, Biff Naked, and Natasha and Fawn of Bodog. I had met one of the coolest girls ever, Summer Altice, ex Playboy playmate, Stuff cover girl, and actress in The Wedding Crashers earlier in the weekend, and she accompanied me to the show. We were running a little late and missed the red carpet. The show was pretty cool, nothing really special happened, but it was awesome to see it live. After the show it was off to another Bodog sponsored after party. The title was "The Official Diddy VMA After Party". Summer and I were in the ultra exclusive VIP area and met up with her friend Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas. There was free champagne so a good time was had by all. I took a photo with Diddy, and met Eva Longoria and Ice T also. Ice T is a cool guy and recognized me from TV. He said he enjoys watching poker and that bluffing a big pot must be tenser than some of the hold-ups he did in his youth. I don't know about that, but I'll have to take his word for it. We joined up with Fergie and her crew and went to another party at the Versace Mansion. I talked to Snoop again, and he remembered me from the Bodog Hawaii event. Fergie had a plane to catch and it was pretty late, so Summer and I went to a few more parties without them. At about 8am the night/morning ended and I got some sleep so I wouldn't miss my flight.

I had a great time in Miami and do not regret missing the WPT at the Bike. I am ready for some poker though. I have had a long enough break, and feel like I am ready to get back in the ring. I have a good feeling about this month, so keep your eyes open for me on the chip count sheets.