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July 05, 2005
the suicide king
A couple of years ago, in the acknowledgements to Dancing Barefoot, I wrote
My wife, Anne, patiently supports everything I want to do, whether it's writing a book or playing in the World Series of PokerTo be entirely honest, I never thought it would happen. I never thought I'd be good enough to earn my way in (via satellite, online qualifier, or as a member of Team PokerStars) and I wrote that mostly as an example of how my wife is awesome, and loves me no matter what. But my mom, who has told me that thoughts are things since I was a little kid, insists that I created this reality when I wrote that . . . so I wish I'd written something about winning the World Series instead!
Just kidding. Like I learned in Just A Geek, and just like Geocaching, to focus only on the goal and not enjoy the ride would be to waste The Journey. And this is going to be a hell of a ride.
I've spent the last two weeks doing everything I can to prepare for the WSOP. I've played countless tournaments online, I've highlighted, underlined, post-it-noted, read, re-read and reviewed Dan Harrington's first book (and done everything I can to cram his second book, which is about playing the Endgame, when you're down to the last couple of tables — I should be so lucky to cross that bridge when I come to it!)
I am so excited, and so nervous, I don't even know what to do with myself. I've done everything I can to prepare for this tournament, and now that it's finally here, I have to let go. Once I start playing, all I can do is get my money in when I have the best hand, hope that I make fewer (and less costly) mistakes than my opponents, and play as smart as possible.
I start at 11am on Thursday the 7th. If any WWdN readers can spare some Monkey Mojo, I've left a subspace port open, so you can just ssh ~/mojo to wil@wsop. I'll take whatever you can spare. :)
I'm taking my Powerbook with me, and I'll do my best to update my blog at least once a day. You'll probably be able to hear how I'm doing from Otis, The Poker Prof, PokerWire, or Dr. Pauly, too.
This is a dream come true for me, and I know that — like all my dreams recently, it seems — it wouldn't have happened without WWdN, and all you guys who read my stuff. Thank you all for helping to create this amazing opportunity.
Now, I have to somehow convince my brain to slow down enough to let me sleep until 6am.
Until Vegas . . .
TrackBack URL for this entry:
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Listed below are links to weblogs that reference the suicide king:
» Will Wil Win?! We'll just watch and wait. from Thank You, Chuck Norris.
Uncle Wil started play today at the WSoP. According to Dr. Pauly (who is there, in Vegas, blogging live) he's hanging in there. ... [Read More]
» Mojo For Wil from Rook's Rant
ssh ~/mojo to wil@wsop... [Read More]
What does one say to a poker star? Good luck? Break a leg? Kick ass? All of those and more!!!
I know you'll bring back some great stories, and have a great time living them.
May the cards fall as you will.
Posted by: naiah christine earhart![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.wilwheaton.net/nav-commenters.gif)
at July 5, 2005 11:34 PM
Enjoy the ride Wil...
I remember you wrote a few months back that you thought you were standing at the window of something great, but that you didn't know what it was. Maybe this is it, eh?
Hell, it will make a great story anyhow, regardless of the outcome.
I wish you happy flops, steady turns, and fucking killer rivers. Show them what we already know, that you deserve to be there.
Now whoop some monkey butt Wil.
Have fun in Vegas.
:) Kelly
at July 5, 2005 11:51 PM
Best of Luck, Wil!
My sweet hubby, James Ernest, will be in Vegas this week, too - but just to watch. He and Glen from Eagle Games are going down to soak up the atmosphere, and hopefully not lose too much money. . .
Posted by: robespierrette at July 6, 2005 12:11 AM
Not sure I can ssh from work to ~/mojo to wil@wsop, so I'll make do with AIX and try this:
enq -Pwil@wsop /etc/muchomojo
will that do? :D
Good luck, have fun, and win big!
Posted by: lomara at July 6, 2005 12:51 AM
Hey best of luck Wil. The Poker Gods are on your side. :o))
Posted by: Foxychik at July 6, 2005 01:18 AM
Good luck :) My tag line is "The Journey lends meaning to the destination" I wholeheartedly believe it. Now if i just had more confindence and courage. If you are confident enough to try something you must have courage enough to fail.
You'll do amazingly well, but most important, you'll have a blast :)
at July 6, 2005 02:12 AM
Good luck, Wil, and be confident - in the immortal words of one of the great philosophers of our times:
"Follow your dreams, you can reach your goals, I'm living proof. Beefcake. BEEFCAKE!"
Posted by: Matthew Cox at July 6, 2005 04:31 AM
Rivers of monkey mojo coming atcha', Wil. Hope Darwin can field it all. ;)
Looking forward to seeing you at the TV table...
Posted by: sparky1234 at July 6, 2005 04:59 AM
That's so awesome Will!
I totally agree with your mom about the thoughts being things and how you brought this in to your life by talking about it.
Way to go! And good luck.
mojo ~ mojo ~ mojo ~
Katie
Posted by: Katie at July 6, 2005 05:12 AM
I just saw the pics of you at the WPT table. I have to say; Darwin looks very cute.
Good luck charms are great to help you win stuff. I have about five or six, and they helped me get good grades on my exams at school. Darwin is so cute, he is definately the best good luck charm you could find, and I know he'll help you to get the best cards in the WSOP. I really look foward to reading your poker stories (especially now that I can understand them).
Heh, I just remembered a dream I had about a month ago where you got pissed off at me because you didn't win the poker...Well let's hope that dream doesn't come true.
Kick ass Wil. Heh heh, mojo...
at July 6, 2005 05:16 AM
Good luck, Wil. Have fun, and we all hope you win BIG! :)
Posted by: Quincey at July 6, 2005 05:37 AM
ln ~/SuperMonkeyMojo ~/mojo
scp wil@wsop ~/mojo
:-) Sounds like you've prepared well, which is the most important step to take before the tourney itself. You're in position, so take advantage of it -- and good luck!
Posted by: VineyardDawg at July 6, 2005 06:25 AM
Good luck. Here's best wishes from the other side of the pacific.
Posted by: Kenyon at July 6, 2005 06:51 AM
Good luck Wil!
We'll all we reading with anxious anticipation. Make us proud!
\m/
Posted by: Craig Steffen at July 6, 2005 06:54 AM
Hey Wil,
I know NOTHING about poker, but I do wish you good luck and tons and tons of Mojo, all the way from North Carolina !!
Good Luck!!
Pook
Posted by: Pookie at July 6, 2005 07:12 AM
You'll do great. I'll be pulling for Jesus Himself to pass you one of those Ace high flushes. (maybe more than one, *wink*) Good luck sweet!
Posted by: VeronicaKnight at July 6, 2005 07:37 AM
Good luck Will from Grantham in the middle of England xx
Posted by: Shazmeister at July 6, 2005 07:45 AM
Wil, have you ever read "Zen and the Art of Poker"? I found my game significantly improved after reading it. I'm nowhere near ready to play in big-money tournaments, but I now can hold my own (or better) at the cash games I get into.
I hope you do well in the tourney -- win some money for us :D I'd offer to send ya my good-luck coin, but I'm gonna need that luck this weekend :D
Posted by: Aurik at July 6, 2005 07:55 AM
connected...negotiating...
streaming source MonkeyMojo at 384 mb/sec
Good Luck!
Posted by: scruzgeek at July 6, 2005 08:11 AM
I don't envy you Wil, but this is what you want and I'll be there for you - virtually speaking, wishing you all the best.
at July 6, 2005 08:12 AM
Go Willie! Go Willie! Go Willie!
Put on your best poker face and show 'em who's boss!
Monkey mojo comin' at ya!
Posted by: Gabby at July 6, 2005 08:14 AM
Lots of good vibes and MonkeyMojo from Louisville :).
Librarianwench
Posted by: LibrarianWench at July 6, 2005 08:16 AM
I don't envy you Wil, but this is what you want and I'll be there for you - virtually speaking, wishing you all the best.
P.S. Sorry if I've posted this twice. I keep forgetting to look up at the security code.
P.P.S. Hey there Shazmeister, I know some people up in Grantham. Haven't been there in a whiles though. Er, I hope you're not related to the Thatchers' though ;)
Posted by: MacRankin at July 6, 2005 08:19 AM
anyone know if the world series is on tv? any chance Wil is going to be on?
Posted by: weatherman77 at July 6, 2005 09:12 AM
Best of Luck to you Wil, we'll be sending all the Monkey Mojo we can find here in Seattle!
Posted by: jadeddo at July 6, 2005 09:22 AM
[erbo@electricminds.org]$ ~/mojo/mojoxfer /dev/mojogenerator wil@wsop.vegas.nv.us
Mojo transferring...
^Z
Stopped
[erbo@electricminds.org]$ bg
[1] ~/mojo/mojoxfer /dev/mojogenerator wil@wsop.vegas.nv.us &
[erbo@electricminds.org]$
I'll keep that process running for you, Wil. On behalf of Electric Minds, good luck and Godspeed.
at July 6, 2005 09:23 AM
good luck!
play tight, play aggressive, kick ass, and wait till the dead money folks make mistakes. put your chips in when you've got the best of it, and R00L the tables.
at July 6, 2005 09:54 AM
I'm so jealous it't not funny!
Good luck, play smart and I'm sure you'll kick ass.
Posted by: Tank at July 6, 2005 10:19 AM
First. Good luck Wil, may your plays work, and the river flow your way. I do have one request, don't post the winner of the championship game (unless you win) without a spoiler warning.
Second, how about a GUI so us windows slaves can click you some Mojo too?
Third, someone asked about TV. ESPN's coverage of the complete (month long) WSOP starts on July 19th. They will show all the tournaments, ending with the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em game (The one Wil is playing in) sometime in August. With an estimated 6000 people playing in the big game not everyone will be on TV. They will show featured tables every day, and cut away to interesting action among the noteables.
The only way for Wil to guarantee himself to be on TV is to make the top 2 tables, or put Phil Hulmuth on a tilt.
-Jason
Posted by: JasonR at July 6, 2005 10:20 AM
Wil, you are going to kick so much poker ass! I can't wait to see you sitting at one of the final tables (hopefully on TV!).
I'm not geeky enough to understand how to send the monkey mojo (though I wish I was!), but I'm sending lots of good thoughts your way!
Posted by: porkerella at July 6, 2005 10:37 AM
Here is the broadcast schedule for the WSOP. The game Wil is entering is the "Main Event" and starts airing on 10/11
http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/broadcast.asp
-Jason
Posted by: JasonR at July 6, 2005 10:57 AM
Wow. Just Wow.
Haldane is working overtime.
Lots of mojo, no bad beats, good flops, and hope you knock at least one 'name' out during the WSOP.
Posted by: LittleGuy at July 6, 2005 11:28 AM
Good luck, and play good poker!
As much as I hate to say it, try to stay away from the hammer dropping. :)
Posted by: alan at July 6, 2005 11:47 AM
Well I am a Windoze kind of guy, but I will send you all of my Monkey Mojo too.
Double click My Computer. Double Click C:. Double click Program Files. Double Click Monkey Mojo. CTRL-A. CTRL-X. Click START. Click Run. type in '\\wsop\wil' then press Enter. CTRL-V.
There ya go.
Good luck to ya Wil. Hopefully that Monkey Mojo wont crash on ya.
Posted by: Widget at July 6, 2005 11:53 AM
Wil Wheaton being a part of something instantly makes it cooler. He worked it for GTA: San Andreas, and now we're going to see him work his magic for the WSOP. Good luck, man! I can't wait to see you at that top table, kicking ass and taking names.
Posted by: Mary P at July 6, 2005 12:24 PM
Rotate through different playing styles as you go. If you just play like you described a month or so ago, someone is going to take advantage of it.
What the hell am I doing giving advice to you? Go kick ass. I'm rooting for you.
Posted by: Alan at July 6, 2005 12:41 PM
Hey Wil!
You can count on Mojo and good vibes from me.
Just remember: "You gotta know when to hold 'em, Know when to fold 'em, Know when to walk away, and Know when to run..."
Seriously, I hope you have a great time and win big!
Best of Luck! :)
Posted by: SciFiGeekGirl at July 6, 2005 12:57 PM
Good Luck Wil, We'll all be pulling for you.
Posted by: Vision at July 6, 2005 01:02 PM
Good Luck Wil! I'm flying out to Vegas Saturday morning and plan on swinging by WSoP a couple days. I expect to see you still playing on Sunday! I've been getting in the poker zone these past couple days. While in the gym yesterday I watched 2003 WSoP on ESPN while listening to Phil Gordon interview Phil Hellmuth on Gordon's WSoP Podcast. Great stuff!
Posted by: Agent Lars at July 6, 2005 01:46 PM
You lucky guy. Feel the power. Kick some ass.
d
at July 6, 2005 02:14 PM
Best of luck Wil. Monkey Mojo coming your way from Edinburgh, Scotland!!
Posted by: Chris at July 6, 2005 02:24 PM
Hey wil...
Have a blast!!! You don't need any advice from anyone. You know your game and you know you're a poker player. You know you can play bad and get lucky... and you know you can play perfect and lose. That's the nature of the game. You can't control the cards, but you can control how you play them.
Just have fun doing it! I can't imagine the feeling of sitting down at that table in the Main Event as the TD gets things rolling.
Thankfully, you'll have a troupe of poker bloggers right there passing on the mojo that all the poker bloggers will be sending your way.
Posted by: CJ at July 6, 2005 02:25 PM
Go get 'em, Will!
Just remember: "There is a force in the universe that makes thing happen...and all you have to do is get in touch with it. Stop thinking...let things happen...and Be the Ball."
Posted by: Mark_McGinley at July 6, 2005 04:29 PM
wil?
shut up, sit down, and kick some ass, man.
I sense 1337 skillz, j00!
you've played poker, you've studied the best. you got as good a chance as any. I suggest the Jay & Silent Bob soundtrack for some adrenalin-pumping.
Shake Norman Chad's hand, and remind him you deserve a moment on TV! :)
Posted by: Sinkuu at July 6, 2005 04:41 PM
Hope the odds play in your favor once the cards are dealt!!!!!! :-) Break a leg!!!!
(Can't wait to either watch it on the TV or read about it on your blog!)
Posted by: Veggie_gurl at July 6, 2005 05:53 PM
Wil,
I wish you all the best guy, and really, I will be praying for you! You Totally deserve to win, and you totally have to juice to win.... so go for it, and enjoy yourself.
Its all about you, and them... all of them, and you can do it... I know you can, and I will be watching your every move....or at least as much as I can...
LUCK!!! AND Faith, cause I believe in you!!
So go 'git 'em, and play the hell out of the World Series, and show them the Wil Wheaton MOJO!
~Peace
at July 6, 2005 06:39 PM
Good luck! I actually know another person who's going... an old family friend who won a tourney on PartyPoker. I'm so jealous! I want to go. Anyway, good luck again!
Posted by: wbwither at July 6, 2005 08:40 PM
Here's all the monkey mojo I can muster, and I'm throwin' it all at you, kiddo. Have the time of your life!!
Posted by: TheSingah at July 6, 2005 08:44 PM
Just remember what MC Frontalot said:
"They said you're cheatin'
but with coins in hand
you've got more game than Wil Wheaton"
When a rap artist says you've got game, it must be true!
Posted by: Mary P at July 6, 2005 09:08 PM
Wil,
Do the best that you can.
FG
Posted by: FABIAN at July 6, 2005 09:40 PM
The first wil wheaton poker pics are now up over at the PokerStars blog courtesy of poker blogger extrordinair Otis, of Up For Poker fame (shameless plug).
Go check 'em out. The Evelyn Ng he's standing next to in the one pic is the same Evy who dealt his WPT Hollywood Home Game.
Posted by: CJ at July 6, 2005 11:26 PM
Sending a whole lot of Poker Playing Power Monkey Mojo your way! Kick major ass, Wil!
Posted by: Crissie at July 7, 2005 12:27 AM
If making a wish affects reality, then where the heck is my Playboy bunny?
Posted by: FNRThomas at July 7, 2005 06:26 AM
At the Poker Stars site CJ posted, go to the sidebar and click on Media Day for Wil pictures.
You go, Wil.
Dr. Pauly also has a Wil picture and has been giving Wil the Rio tour, at http://taopoker.blogspot.com/
Posted by: sparky1234 at July 7, 2005 06:31 AM
Want to read a blog from a dealer at the WSOP? Check out wsop-dealer.kcpoker.net
Posted by: tombiv at July 7, 2005 09:09 AM
Best o' luck to ya. Funny how life turns out that way..
cheers.
P.
/* ol' TNG fan who didn't know you were bloggin...
//* yeah its a nice rock I live under, roomy...
///* slashy!!!
at July 7, 2005 01:46 PM
Wil wrote:
"...to focus only on the goal and not enjoy the ride would be to waste The Journey."
Which reminds me of the children's book
"The Missing Piece" by Shel Silverstein
A circle sets out to find its missing piece:
It was missing a piece.
And it was not happy.
So it set off in search
of its missing piece.
And as it rolled
it sang this song -
Oh I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
Hi-dee-ho, here I go,
Lookin' for my missin' piece.
And it has lots of adventures on the way.
_-=/^\=-_ .
Break a leg Wil,
Brian
Posted by: BML at July 7, 2005 03:18 PM
Wil wrote:
"...to focus only on the goal and not enjoy the ride would be to waste The Journey."
Which reminds me of the children's book
"The Missing Piece" by Shel Silverstein
A circle sets out to find its missing piece:
It was missing a piece.
And it was not happy.
So it set off in search
of its missing piece.
And as it rolled
it sang this song -
Oh I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
I'm lookin' for my missin' piece
Hi-dee-ho, here I go,
Lookin' for my missin' piece.
And it has lots of adventures on the way.
_-=/^\=-_ .
Break a leg Wil,
Brian
Posted by: BML at July 7, 2005 03:18 PM
http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/2005/07/wsop-day-1-flight-1-photo-gallery.html
Here are some pics of Wil from today at the Pokerstars website.
KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT WIL... and kick some monkay ass butt!
:) Kelly
Posted by: kelsquatch at July 7, 2005 03:42 PM
http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/2005/07/wsop-day-1-flight-1-photo-gallery.html
Here are some pics of Wil from today at the Pokerstars website.
KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT WIL... and kick some monkay ass butt!
:) Kelly
Posted by: kelsquatch at July 7, 2005 03:43 PM
Looks like Wil is out.
According to 'Tao of Poker', http://taopoker.blogspot.com/
5pm update... "Wil Wheaton has been busted. He lost a coinflip with his As-Js to pocket sevens. He seemed very upset. He was happy to know that so many people were rooting him on."
I don't know what to say. It's a hard loss, but an excellent experience. There will be other chances Wil. Your time will come.
Hang tough babe,
Kelly
at July 7, 2005 05:38 PM
Wil,
You always do your best. That is cool.
FG
at July 7, 2005 07:50 PM
Tough break gettin' knocked out Wil, hard to put him on fishhooks there... next time, man.
Posted by: Holz at July 7, 2005 08:22 PM
Well it looks like my dream did come true, although I'd prefer if the "getting pissed off at me" part didn't. I hope you had fun anyway.
Posted by: Zkid at July 7, 2005 08:42 PM
I just saw the results - man, I can understand why he was so upset after his final hand - that was the SECOND time he was beat holding AJ. First time, the opponent (Paul Darden) was holding pocket Js as well, and the final J hit on the flop, and according to the description "crippled" Wil.
Second (and final, unfortunately :( ) time, Wil was holding AJ suited, opp was holding pocket 7s and a 7 hit on the flop, as noted above.
I tend to be an optimist - this just means you've got a whole year to prepare for next year's WSoP, rather than just a handful of weeks...
Posted by: critter42 at July 7, 2005 10:41 PM
Gee Wil... SOMEONE ate all your Chips!
I was hoping that you would reach the PAYOFF Table. I'm sure you played your best game to date, it's only the CARDS that didn't play well.
Well... Pat Darwin on the head for me and give yourself a banana... (Uh...STRIKE that....REVERSE it!) (Nah...I had it right the FIRST time!)
[Green Felt Hugs... All In] - Dusty
at July 7, 2005 11:10 PM
Well, I can send a couple Four-Leaf Clover's yer way, and maybe a Five and Six Leaf as well...I'm keeping the 7 leaf's though, I think they're bad for Poker.
Posted by: Video at July 8, 2005 06:53 AM
Just saw the results on pokerwire. that really sucks. :( Looks like you got some pretty bad breaks with the cards though. As they say, there's always next year. I hope you're sticking around the WSOP for some reporting. Would love to read your take on things.
Posted by: Jason (xtra-rant.com) at July 8, 2005 07:49 AM
A-J beat by 7-7. Sucks. Guess tails next time;) Live and learn buddy. Can't wait to hear the story.
Posted by: mcsey at July 8, 2005 08:28 AM
I too can't wait to hear the story. I also can't wait for the action packed play by play :)
Posted by: FailedSuccess at July 8, 2005 08:44 AM
Followed you all day on Paul's blog. Serious bummer but check out some of the other names that busted out day 1.
You may not feel better but use it as inspiration for next time.
Be well.
Posted by: Airbag at July 8, 2005 09:20 AM
Tough break, Wil. Perhaps some advice for future is: never bet on the same hand twice! Last time you busted out on two KK hands, this time two AJs. Next time you lose on a hand, avoid it like the plague. Or something... Better luck next time.
Posted by: Harry at July 8, 2005 11:11 AM
Clearly I need to learn to play poker. The nuances of "AJ" "flop" and the like are completely lost on me. Just saw on pokerstarsblog that you're out. Whatever consolation from a complete stranger is worth, you have it.
Next time.
Posted by: naiah christine earhart at July 8, 2005 11:36 AM
I saw this on yahoo today about how the competition usually goes. Hope you're doing well! It's late Friday right now...
Posted by: phedrang at July 8, 2005 12:46 PM
Ack, um sorry, I just checked poker stars. You played well though they all said..
Posted by: phedrang at July 8, 2005 01:10 PM
Sorry to read about your loss at the WSOP, man. I was on vacation and didn't find out when you were going until the 7th. Sadly, any mojo I could send was too late to make a difference. But I'll sock it away for next time...
Posted by: Brian at July 8, 2005 06:47 PM
I clicked on the wrong comment link. (DOUGH!)
I meant to post the following here. MOJO goes here John! Geez!
Hey Wil. Remember This??
LOL
at July 8, 2005 07:12 PM
Wil,
Seems like you are having a great time. Why, I don't know. I guess this game really gets your blood pumping. If you don't win, I hope you had a great time.
FG
Posted by: FABIAN at July 8, 2005 10:08 PM
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