I sincerely apologize for not checking in all month. I have been working hard with my team on the launch of our charitable foundation, it is coming along with a lot of effort and more than we expected in terms of set up. It will all be worth it once we can look back as we support such great causes on a yearly basis. Coupled with developing a new way to have poker on television this summer has not been as much about poker as I would have liked but I am content with splitting my year between work, poker, and charitable endeavors. Someday before the end of the year I hope to take a much needed vacation!

So I got back to Vegas for the 5k 6-Handed event and to play in the main event. I am so proud of my friend Michael Greco for placing 3rd and so close to winning his first of many bracelets this year in the 1500NLH. It really is more exciting when you have no pressure and can root for someone you care about. Felt really bad when he didn’t win as I know how much he wanted that to happen. He deserves it for sure.

Having a day free, a trusted friend thought I should meet the online player of the year for 2008 David “The Maven” Chicotsky as we have some things in common and a similar outlook on ways to give back to the world and the poker community having had a certain level of success. I must say I was most impressed with him, his business and his commitment to continually learning everything he can about tournament poker. He learned first from Ari Engel, which led him to other online greats and the creation of a system that has proven high returns for his students. I spent some time coaching with him and knowing that there are more new online players all the time making deep runs in major tournaments it was important for me to be aware of as much as I could of this system he was teaching. I played 3 tournaments in Las Vegas one in LA and 2 online. I cashed in 3 and made one final table so I would say it helped my game. The game is ever changing based on how those we play against are acting, and I needed to change along with it. The main event wasn’t much of a test as I ran into set over set in the first level crippling me and never recovered. I am inspired by my time with David though and look forward to adding my own knowledge of live play and bluffing and tells to the system. We are discussing a way to bring this information to the masses which would be very exciting.