Dinner debating information market theory - with poker wedged in between.



It was one of those strange, unpredictable days. Much like every day of the WSOP so far.

The interview crew took off early to meet Marcel Luske for breakfast at the Wynn. Since most of my breakfasts consist of coffee and more coffee, long before the rest of the pokerpages team decides to lift their ultimate eyelids (we have one early runner who goes back to bed for a second round of sleep), eating solid food with stellar company was pretty cool. And while I was in Vegas during Wynn’s opening, I decided to miss the early rush, and got to see it for the first time.

Marcel is, indeed, the real deal. He is far more dangerous as a player than his charming demeanor indicates. And he knows it. But his integrity and concern for the welfare of others is refreshing. And while some people equate charm with being disingenuous, it's really just about old school manners with Marcel. Bad manners on the felt are one of Marcel's pet peeves.

And the Wynn is lovely. I think some people have been a little nonplussed by the Wynn, expecting some exponentially over-the-top Vegas palace. But it is understated luxury at its best. And I was just a little envious of the people that found protection from the harsh Vegas backdrop in this elegant enclave. But I'm in no position to bitch about digs, staying at the lovely chez pokerpages west. After all, I could be staying with Pauly, deciding on my weapon of choice.

This week Jen Leo pulled into town. Jen is a blogger that I have been trying to connect with ever since she gave me a nice shout out on pPlayer. Her wicked sense of humor and writing prowess are welcome additions to the media room, which is starting to slowly fill to capacity. Jen also hooked my up with a list of all the free WiFi places in Vegas, which will be a godsend on subsequent visits. When the final event eventually hits, the media room should have all the ambiance of NY subway at rush hour, invaded by the mainstream press. But in the mean time, it is a welcome retreat for renegade poker writers.

For people who feel that hold'em is the only game that plays to a television audience, I’m going to argue using today's Pot Limit Omaha final table. I know I am a devout omaholic, but this was skillful, dramatic, poker.

Some things overheard today:

When Sklansky was congratulated for busting Kiril Gerasimov in the stud hi/lo, he responded haughtily, "I have no idea who that is."

Another player in the stud hi/lo field, "This is a rough tournament for me. I'm trying to play it without Red Bull and Percoset."

I'm not sure why, but pokerpages dinner conversation revolved around calculus, quantum physics and a pretty interesting debate about the pros and cons of aggregate information systems. The stock market is considered an efficient information market, albeit with the potential for group think (bubbles) and manipulation (fraud). Likewise, the setting of sports betting lines has proved that aggregate input increases accuracy. The initial betting line set by "experts" is adjusted throughout the betting period as bets are placed. The ultimate betting line is statistically more accurate than the initial. For an interesting discussion on how information market theory is being applied in business see the material at EconOne. I'm sensing that tequilla is to blame for this mental dalliance.