Aruba in the books
Posted: 2008-10-14 14:21:11By: Shawn Rice
Aruba 08 is in the books
Matt Brady was the winner of the 7th Annual Aruba Poker Classic winning a cool million dollars! Johan Storakers, a former UB Pro, took 2nd and half a million for his effort. Matt Savage puts on the best poker tourneys and what makes this so, is that they are so player friendly. The blinds barely jump and with hour and a half levels, what more could a poker player ask for? For everyone that made day 2, the tourney ends just a little after 8pm so everyone get to enjoy a nice dinner and the Aruba night life. Thanks Matt, you and your staff are the best and it's a pleasure to work with such real pros.
I spent 5 hours in an urgent care center trying to help get over this virus I seem to have, I didn't want to be in a foreign country's hospital trying to get medical care if at all possible. I felt so bad, was in bed with the cold chills and hot sweats. I was feeling terrible, but I knew i could not miss this trip if I had any heart beat at all. I missed my 5am flight , there was just no way I would be able to fly in my condition. I took many hot showers so I could get in bed and sweat all this out as much as I could, every time in my past I had a really hard sweat I would be OK the next day. Not with this crap I had, really sucked. I did find a later flight that left Texas around noon and got me in Aruba around 11pm Est. My driver Henry picked me up and really took care of me and got me something to drink as soon as I got there. I slept on the plane and was very dehydrated when I landed.
I got checked in and as I was checking in Lynn "SassyTexan" was at the final table of the days tourney. I was so sick I went straight to the room and had no energy to go and watch the final table. Lynn did a 3 way chop along with my good friend Pat and netted over 11k. She is playing so well, making anywhere from 1 to 3 final tables every day online for over a week straight. I am very proud of her, She has really worked hard on her game and it's finally paying off for her.
I showed up the next morning for the poker seminar that we were suppose to help teach. I was still feeling so bad and still sweating that my pro-relations manager Jo Ann told me to get back to bed and get all the rest I could get, so I did. Annie ended up practically teaching the whole three hours by herself. The audience took a vote and wanted her to continue teaching, Trust me Annie is the best teacher in poker, she can be a little abrasive but she gets her point across and when you are done you get it. Also, I love her teaching style, reminds me a little of Bobby Knight without the chair tossing.
I played the poker tourney and ended day 1 with over double average chips and felt like I played as good as I could have played, I made it til almost the end of day 2 and lose KK to AK on a T32 flop, he flopped a diamond draw and hit, so I was sent to the rail. I felt like I was feeling about 80% and played as well as I could have. Debo, Poker Ho and Mike Foley all made it to day 4 and had some really nice finishes. Lynn finished 16th and played super, she trusted her read thinking there was noway her opponent had an ace, and if he did, not one he would like, he forced him to a very tough guess and he made the call and she lost over 500k in chips in the hand. I could not be more proud of her, I have known for a while what a great player she is and now the rest are finding out. She is super smart and does everything with a good reason behind it and she has never felt like she knows it all or has it figured out, she continues to learn and has the passion and at her pace. She will be a top player in no time.
I was feeling so bad I missed Phil's party, now that's sick,lol. I am already looking forward to Phil's party next year, it's on the 9th floor, monster suite with a large balcony with a hot tub and great place to hold a private party. I saw the pics where Scott Ian and Pearl Aday jammed and heard the drinks where flowing much like last year. Last year it ended about 5 or 6 am with a many of us playing Chinese poker with Serindada Swan. She is the prettiest lady I have ever saw. Magazines and TV does her no justice. She is now the Guess Super Model.
I did make it to the final awards party and it really rocked. Scott and Pearl played on a platform in the pool and about 50 of us jumped into the pool and had the time of our lives. One thing is for sure, UB can through a freaking party! Joining Pearl and her band was Liv Boeree, a really hot girl whom represents Absolute Poker. She jammed on guitar a couple of songs and she told me later she had the time of her life up there on stage. I have heard Liv sing before in Vegas when we all went out one night after a Sully Erna show at the Joint, the girl sure has some talent other than being a good poker player.
It's glad to be home after a 12 hour trip and I am still not over this cold. I am trying to get lots of rest while at home and want to get my online poker addiction hours in, I really miss playing online. I am deep in the $30 rebuy as I type this, In 4th place with 34 left. I love this tourney, it guarantees you lots of chips after the rebuy period and rewards patience.
I plan on spending more time at home and playing online and come say hello at the tables and good luck to all you UBers.
Proud UB Team Member
Shawn Rice
