WSOP: Under the table

"Do you know Otis?" one member of the media asked another.

"Know him? I've practically slept with him."

That coversation happened about 30 seconds ago and it pretty much sums up the bunker mentality of the World Series of Poker media. We're all in this together. We've never slept together, but sometimes it feels like it. This room reminds me of a Las Vegas version of a Lousiana shotgun shack. It's one long rectangle of clicking and clacking laptops. For a moment of respite, I've plugged Ben Harper into my ears and taken a break from my work.

Work and sleeplessness have largely kep me away from the tables so far on this trip. I played a little cash last night and picked up a modest profit. Other than running into a guy who had dealt to me in Tunica a while back and remembered dealing my bust-out hand in a tournament, the session was pretty unremarkable.

What is remarkable here, however, are the little things that keep me interested in this seven-week circus show. None of them are stories on their own. They are just simple quotes that make me remember why this place is ripe for stories if you just listen.

So, here, presented without comment, are a few things I've heard said over the past few days:

The biggest lie I've heard told this week:

Man on the phone to girlfriend/wife: "Baby, I think about your ALL THE TIME while I'm playing."

Staying healthy at the WSOP

Otis: "You're eating an apple and smoking a cigarette at the same time. Are you trying to balance the health scale?"

Dealer, holding up styrofoam cup: "I'm drinking water, too. So, I'm two-to-one."

Lawsuit comin'

Dealer #1: "ESPN won't let me deal the final table."
Dealer #2: "Why?"
Dealer #1: "Because I'm left-handed. I told them I was considering a class action lawsuit."

On dealer tipping and cheapskates

Dealer: "I dealt $2/$5 for a while and did great. I dealt $50/$100 for three hours and didn't make a dollar."

On Vinnie Vinh

Anonymous: "I heard he was a crack-head."

(Note: I certainly hope Vinh is okay. Regardless, I've found myself inordinately interested in the story of Vinh's random disappearance after leading Day 1 of the $1,000 re-buy event. As of this moment, there have been no reports of Vinh's return. For more on the story, visit our friends at Wicked Chops Poker)

Hat hubris

Seen on hat of poker player: "Jay The Downtown Rounder."

The pride he must feel.

| 2007 World Series of Poker