Over in Monte Carlo

Here's a picture of where all the action has been taking place over the past five days....the very beautiful casino in Monte Carlo. As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end and, with that, Michael's dream of winning the Grand Final in Monte Carlo did not come to fruition. We can't even be sad about it because he had an amazing run coming in 5th place and winning $666,060. But for someone who's as competitive as he is, the money really means nothing to him. It's all in the challenge and all in the "win". He got to experience the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat off and on all day. But in the end, it was not to be. So he'll stay in Monte Carlo for a few more days (apparently there's some big tennis tournament there this weekend) and then head off to Amsterdam for a week or two. He definitely needs a vacation after this grueling week.

It really was an amazing experience to be able to watch this entire final table online. In Liz' office, they had the IT people come in and remove the blocks from the computers so she and her friends could watch. And while it was stressful for Michael, there was no lack of stress back here in the states as there was a flurry of emails and text messages and phone calls going back and forth all day. There are so many great pictures and video interviews online already and it's been fun seeing all of it. I'd like to thank pokernews.com and cardplayer.com for these photos. But when I sent Liz this last picture of Michael's final hand, she just cried. They say a picture says a thousand words.....well this picture said three million words. lol I love it though because it shows the true emotion of the culmination of a fantastic event in Michael's life -- one he won't soon forget.

If you're thinking that Michael wore the same thing today as he did yesterday, you're right. Aside from the fact that he's superstitious, he just loved being in France and wearing something that said United States on it. A prouder American you will not find and he wore this proudly representing his country in this event.

When he decided to become a professional tournament player, I told him if he made a final table, I would be there. Well, this is his third final table in three months and I haven't made it yet. By the time I find out that he's has made it there, if he's playing in Europe, it's too late to get on a plane. After this event, however, I have promised him that no matter what, I will be there. Perhaps I have to be in the stands rooting him on to make it happen. Bob says it just wasn't his time to win yet but we do believe it will happen. And guess what, you'll be the first to read it here!!!

So from the final table in Monte Carlo, I bid you Au Revoir.....until next year.