the suicide king

A couple of years ago, in the acknowledgements to Dancing Barefoot, I wrote

My wife, Anne, patiently supports everything I want to do, whether it’s writing a book or playing in the World Series of Poker

To be entirely honest, I never thought it would happen. I never thought I’d be good enough to earn my way in (via satellite, online qualifier, or as a member of Team PokerStars) and I wrote that mostly as an example of how my wife is awesome, and loves me no matter what. But my mom, who has told me that thoughts are things since I was a little kid, insists that I created this reality when I wrote that . . . so I wish I’d written something about winning the World Series instead!
Just kidding. Like I learned in Just A Geek, and just like Geocaching, to focus only on the goal and not enjoy the ride would be to waste The Journey. And this is going to be a hell of a ride.
I’ve spent the last two weeks doing everything I can to prepare for the WSOP. I’ve played countless tournaments online, I’ve highlighted, underlined, post-it-noted, read, re-read and reviewed Dan Harrington’s first book (and done everything I can to cram his second book, which is about playing the Endgame, when you’re down to the last couple of tables — I should be so lucky to cross that bridge when I come to it!)
I am so excited, and so nervous, I don’t even know what to do with myself. I’ve done everything I can to prepare for this tournament, and now that it’s finally here, I have to let go. Once I start playing, all I can do is get my money in when I have the best hand, hope that I make fewer (and less costly) mistakes than my opponents, and play as smart as possible.
I start at 11am on Thursday the 7th. If any WWdN readers can spare some Monkey Mojo, I’ve left a subspace port open, so you can just ssh ~/mojo to wil@wsop. I’ll take whatever you can spare. 🙂
I’m taking my Powerbook with me, and I’ll do my best to update my blog at least once a day. You’ll probably be able to hear how I’m doing from Otis, The Poker Prof, PokerWire, or Dr. Pauly, too.
This is a dream come true for me, and I know that — like all my dreams recently, it seems — it wouldn’t have happened without WWdN, and all you guys who read my stuff. Thank you all for helping to create this amazing opportunity.
Now, I have to somehow convince my brain to slow down enough to let me sleep until 6am.
Until Vegas . . .

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76 thoughts on “the suicide king”

  1. The first wil wheaton poker pics are now up over at the PokerStars blog courtesy of poker blogger extrordinair Otis, of Up For Poker fame (shameless plug).
    Go check ’em out. The Evelyn Ng he’s standing next to in the one pic is the same Evy who dealt his WPT Hollywood Home Game.

  6. Best o’ luck to ya. Funny how life turns out that way..
    cheers.
    P.
    /* ol’ TNG fan who didn’t know you were bloggin…
    //* yeah its a nice rock I live under, roomy…
    ///* slashy!!!

  7. Wil wrote:
    “…to focus only on the goal and not enjoy the ride would be to waste The Journey.”
    Which reminds me of the children’s book
    “The Missing Piece” by Shel Silverstein
    A circle sets out to find its missing piece:
    It was missing a piece.
    And it was not happy.
    So it set off in search
    of its missing piece.
    And as it rolled
    it sang this song –
    Oh I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece
    I’m lookin’ for my missin’ piece
    Hi-dee-ho, here I go,
    Lookin’ for my missin’ piece.
    And it has lots of adventures on the way.
    _-=/^\=-_ .
    Break a leg Wil,
    Brian

  10. Looks like Wil is out.
    According to ‘Tao of Poker’, http://taopoker.blogspot.com/
    5pm update… “Wil Wheaton has been busted. He lost a coinflip with his As-Js to pocket sevens. He seemed very upset. He was happy to know that so many people were rooting him on.”
    I don’t know what to say. It’s a hard loss, but an excellent experience. There will be other chances Wil. Your time will come.
    Hang tough babe,
    Kelly

  13. Well it looks like my dream did come true, although I’d prefer if the “getting pissed off at me” part didn’t. I hope you had fun anyway.

  14. I just saw the results – man, I can understand why he was so upset after his final hand – that was the SECOND time he was beat holding AJ. First time, the opponent (Paul Darden) was holding pocket Js as well, and the final J hit on the flop, and according to the description “crippled” Wil.
    Second (and final, unfortunately 🙁 ) time, Wil was holding AJ suited, opp was holding pocket 7s and a 7 hit on the flop, as noted above.
    I tend to be an optimist – this just means you’ve got a whole year to prepare for next year’s WSoP, rather than just a handful of weeks…

  15. Gee Wil… SOMEONE ate all your Chips!I was hoping that you would reach the PAYOFF Table. I’m sure you played your best game to date, it’s only the CARDS that didn’t play well.Well… Pat Darwin on the head for me and give yourself a banana… (Uh…STRIKE that….REVERSE it!)  (Nah…I had it right the FIRST time!) [Green Felt Hugs… All In] – Dusty

  16. Well, I can send a couple Four-Leaf Clover’s yer way, and maybe a Five and Six Leaf as well…I’m keeping the 7 leaf’s though, I think they’re bad for Poker.

  17. Just saw the results on pokerwire. that really sucks. 🙁 Looks like you got some pretty bad breaks with the cards though. As they say, there’s always next year. I hope you’re sticking around the WSOP for some reporting. Would love to read your take on things.

  20. Followed you all day on Paul’s blog. Serious bummer but check out some of the other names that busted out day 1.
    You may not feel better but use it as inspiration for next time.
    Be well.

  21. Tough break, Wil. Perhaps some advice for future is: never bet on the same hand twice! Last time you busted out on two KK hands, this time two AJs. Next time you lose on a hand, avoid it like the plague. Or something… Better luck next time.

  22. Clearly I need to learn to play poker. The nuances of “AJ” “flop” and the like are completely lost on me. Just saw on pokerstarsblog that you’re out. Whatever consolation from a complete stranger is worth, you have it.
    Next time.

  23. I saw this on yahoo today about how the competition usually goes. Hope you’re doing well! It’s late Friday right now…

  25. Sorry to read about your loss at the WSOP, man. I was on vacation and didn’t find out when you were going until the 7th. Sadly, any mojo I could send was too late to make a difference. But I’ll sock it away for next time…

  26. I clicked on the wrong comment link. (DOUGH!)
    I meant to post the following here. MOJO goes here John! Geez!
    Hey Wil. Remember This??
    LOL

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