Well the results of the first round have been posted. Hendrick Witt, of Denmark is in the Lead with 84,000 chips. I am sitting in 89th place. The top 99 finishers will get at least $16,000 in prize money and first place will pay $1 million. This prize is down from 2005’s $1.5 million first prize, due the tournament field having 200 fewer entrants.

I played tight and aggressive throughout the day, only making a few bad plays. As the field narrowed, I found myself at a table filled, with what i’ve been calling “The Sunglass Boys”. These 20-30 year olds, sit with their mirrored glasses, trying to steal blinds and bluff their way into large pots. Well, when you have the cards, it’s time to stomp these little boys! And I did. After losing half my stack to 1 or 2 of these guys, I took it back, plus some in the last hour of the first round.

This has been my first major poker tournament, and after playing for 8+ hours, with 3 15 minute breaks all day, I can say it is mentally and physically straining. Thank G– I don’t have hemorhoids! But seriously, a stiff back, sore neck and numb butt is just part of the territory!

Tonight it’s 207 players, starting (after we leave jamaica) at 8pm, playing until 3am or only 18 players are left. If I’m still in at the end of the night, i won’t only be exstatic, but surprised. On the other hand, several final table finishers from last years event and the most famous Pro on the cruise, Barry Greenstein, was knocked of yesterday’s elimination round. So “I beat Barry Greenstein!”, even if i never played a single hand against him!………

Well, i’m off for swim, then lunch and a walk around Ocho Rios. But come 8pm, i’ll be at the tables, fighting for my share of the $5+ million prize pool.

So until i’m knocked out or in the final 18, tonight,

AllPokerPlay signing off