No comic yet today but maybe something a bit later. For now … my Vegas trip report;

What you see there is the cover of the program that was at every seat and all over the poker room. I was blown away at how great it turned out and the moment I saw it, I was very proud of both the site and Ryan.

The Jennifer Harman event was a huge success and it was an honor to be a part of it. I really enjoyed myself and finally getting to meet Ryan face to face was really cool. He is a great guy and I am very glad to have him as my partner. I stayed at the Mirage right across the street from Ryan and his SUITE at the Venetian. I am talking office, kitchen, 3 plasma tvs, the works. Special thanks to Lisa for that one.

I didn’t win the tournament but I did last about an hour or so after the first break. My first table had “the Grinder” Michael Mizrachi and his wife to my right. They were both extremely nice and a pleasure to play with. (Grinder says hello below.) My last table had Jeff Madsen, TJ Cloutier, and Gavin Smith sitting directly to my left. The final hand I had was AJ of hearts and didn’t improve against my opponents QQ. And that was that… But I played about as well as I could. OH and I busted Mizrachi one hand I had kings… He must have rebought about 10 times. That was fun. I think watching him play I learned a few things.

I would like to thank Jennifer Harman and again Lisa Wheeler for having us. Lisa was the event organizer and she really did a great job. Should the day come when there is a LaB charity tournament.. I am calling her! I haven’t yet gotten the total funds raised but I would bet that it surpassed last year by double. I hope.

We met some really cool people… So hello to our new friends… Courtney Kowitz and Mary Jones especially.

One of the highlights was our position on the red carpet. Ryan and I were given exclusive access to those who made their way off the carpet and into the poker room. We had those who were featured in the original artwork (and some who weren’t) sign the frame as they walked by. They even assigned a security guard and our own personal photographer. Pretty cool stuff.

At the moment I snapped this picture those who had signed it were pro players; Howard Lederer, Mike Sexton, Mary Jones, Barry Greenstein, Steve Zolotov, TJ Cloutier, Kristy Gazes, Todd Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman, Marco Traniello, Phil Ivey, and Doyle Brunson! Also signed by former NFL player Shaun King, myself & Ryan Estrada.

Before it left my hands it was also signed by Jeff Madsen, Joe Sebok, Gavin Smith, Michael Mizrachi, Eli Elezra, Joe Hachem, pro snowboarder Keir Dillon, Robert Williamson III, & some others that I can’t quite remember right now. I will have more pictures, video, and info later.

When it came time for the artwork to be sold during the live auction, the starting bid was $1000. I am pretty sure after some wheeling and dealing between Ryan and a possible buyer the final bid price was $1750. More than Doyle Brunson’s signed hat OFF his head! (100 percent of the proceeds went to benefit the Nevada SPCA.)

We sold color copies of the prints for $50 to anyone who wanted one. There are some left over and will be made available through the LaB website within a few days. Those interested now can email me frank@lifesabluff.com and I will save you one. Each one is hand numbered and signed by myself and Ryan. There were only 100 printed so get yours before they are all gone. *a portion of every sale will be donated to the Nevada SPCA.

Oh and this was also in each of the event programs:

Shout out from “The Grinder”

BRANDI HAWBAKER

I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say about this but I feel like I need to say something… While I was in Vegas I was informed by one of her friends that she had taken her own life. I did not know Brandi personally but I knew of her. She was even featured in one of our strips and got a big kick out of it. I made sure to let her through a friend that it was not a dig at her but one to Tom Franklin. I didn’t not at all want to be a part of any of the constant torment she endured by some of those well connected in the poker world. I am sure she had made plenty of mistakes and a lot of her problems were brought on by her own bad behavior but no human being should have to put up with what she did. Those of you who picked on her or called her out on the forums should be ashamed of yourselves. You can now add to your long list of non-achievements, causing the indirect death of one of your so called friends. I hope you live with the regret for the rest of your lives…. and may you all live LONG healthy lives and have nothing but daughters.

RIP Brandi. My condolences to those who loved her.

- Frank

Possibly Related Posts:

• Gay Marriage
• Random Questions with Hevad Khan
• President Barack Obama
• Yes we can!
• Sarah Palin: Pranked