WSOP Day 12 - Jon Kalmar

WSOP Day 12 - Jon Kalmar

14th June 2009

As well as having a bad back and a sprained ankle from falling off a curb getting in a taxi (no I wasn’t drunk), I have had tooth ache since the start of the week. Today my worse fears were confirmed and it had developed into an abscess. Alright, maybe not my worst fears - they are being attacked by a polar bear or living to see complete nuclear holocaust.

Still, I have had an abscess before and they are no fun believe me. In fact, the last time I had one I had a bust up foot then too, what are the odds? I go the Pharmacy in the attempt to buy antibiotics but to no avail - I must see a dentist and get a prescription. Typically, it’s Sunday (what are the odds?) and none are open so instead I get the address of a doctor and try my luck there.

For just a $162 one has agreed to see me and it was just a $20 cab fare away. Now obviously I get a cab from outside my hotel and when asked by the bell boy (In this case a girl, first time ever I have seen a girl do this job. What are the odds?) where am I going? I innocently say the medical centre.

“Oh I see”
I explain “I er, er I er, just have tooth ache”
“You too, hey happens allllllllll the time, don’t worry must be 100 cabs a day go there.”

The forms you are required to fill in are ridiculous. The first page is all about your insurance and financial situation. Are you working? what do you do? income etc. They get their priorities right. The next page is your medical history. History of strokes, cancer, have you had an eye test lately? have you fallen lately? Sores in your mouth? (well kinda yeah!). The best one was how many years you went to school? What How can being under-educated affect your health and what business is it of theirs?

I explain “I er, er I er, just have tooth ache”
“Just fill in the damn form sir”
“Yes miss”
After a short wait I am escorted to a room where I am weighed, have my temperature taken and also my blood pressure.
I explain “I er, er I er, just have tooth ache”
Further questions include “Have you ever had pins and needles in your legs?”
“NOOOOOOOO”

I sit in the examination room and wait for the doctor. It was obviously busy cos I could hear the conversation between the doctors and nurses through the door. Apparently, there is somewhere where they are doing a new coffee flavoured shake and it was much better than McDonalds!!!

I wonder if all this fuss is simply to give me my money’s worth. I then look at the draws in the bed I was just sitting on. They were labelled “Vaginal speculum” and “Anal scope”. Gulp! Another label at the top said “Stirrup position. Pull to extend, lift for lateral adjustment” At that point the door opens and I explain “I er, er I er, just have tooth ache” She takes a look and after insisting I go see a dentist as soon as possible she agrees to give me a course of antibiotics. I say thanks and hurry away before they decide to check me out for anything else.

I return to the pharmacy and wait expectantly for my tablets. The anxiety of waiting for them to tell me the cost was similar to playing a big hand of poker. I have to say I was immensely relieved when he said $37 and it actually felt like I had won a big hand.

I played poker for around 6 hours and again never flopped one set despite having been dealt over 20 pairs, none I might add were better than jacks. I was happy to call it a night early $400 up as this paid for the doctor, tablets and taxis.

While writing this I am getting ready to play the $2000 WSOP event at the Rio. No hoping to do well, no doing my best. After watching JP Kelly win a bracelet early this week I want one (not to wear of course, I ain’t a poof) and this one will do for now. No bad beats, no coolers and most of all no bad moves. I have used up all my bad luck and today it will turn I am sure of it. Today my share of flopping sets will balance out for the trip and I will finish the day on a monster stack. This time I will win the bracelet.