MONTE CARLO

PokerRoom credited me $1200 and told me to find my way to Monaco, where a room will be waiting from the 14th thru the 19th. The guy who wins in two weeks will pay more for his ticket. I gain by knowing early and also by living in LA. I found a flight to Nice, France for $650. I'll arrive early on the 14th and take a cab to the hotel (I don't yet know which.) There's a per diem involved, but I don't yet know how much. Should be enough to eat moderately well.

One other thing I've discovered: PokerRoom has a promotion going on for all of its Team PokerRoom members. Every player who makes a team will be invited to a special tournament, the winner of which will become a pro for one year, with entry to all the biggest events, and also a salary. The package is worth $240,000. I've got a shot at it. The only way the tournament will be cancelled is if a Team PokerRoom player wins the major event for which he is sponsored. So, if I win Monte Carlo, I will not only pocket half a million bucks (at least), but I'll get a quarter million dollar gig for 2006. A Dude can dream.