Jon Kalmar says...

WSOP Day 24 - Jon Kalmar

Friday 26 Jun 2009

No poker today, instead I had the fun task of carrying out promotional work for Ladbrokes. I don’t mind doing interviews in rooms and quiet areas but you don’t half feel odd posing for pictures in public places. Everyone looking on think who the hell is he?

We started off at the ungodly hour of 1pm. Andreas and Jonas were already in Bob’s room where we had to do a three way type interview type thing. I was amazed to discover that Jonas was a teacher before poker. Teaching Science, Spanish, Italian and various other stuff. Poor kid, don’t have much going for him does he?

Andreas also had a surprise. He used to have the largest comic book collection in Norway and he sold it for around $500,000. Half a mill…for comics!!!

After a few interviews in my room we booked a limo to take us down town. Obviously you need to tip on top, but $41 and hour to book a limo is well worth it. Book one at least once if you are having a trip here. Take a drive down the strip at night or something. While doing some filming at the front of the Hotel a scruffy and obviously mentally ill guy wandered towards us. Wearing his combat gear and sporting a beard capable of concealing several automatic weapons he asked if he could be in it. I sternly said “NO” and then started to wonder exactly how unstable he was. Luckily he moved on. Phew!

We filmed a little more on Freemont Street where every American passer-by tried to get on film. Why are we so different? Back home in the UK if someone pulls out a camera people run for the hills. If fact, unless you are wearing a large white frock and a veil, people would use any excuse to not to appear on film. Except for people who insist on showing you holiday snaps every time you visit.

“Oh, we hardly ever see you, you must come round more.”
“Put that damn book away and we will consider it.”
To the Americans a camera is like a switch. They immediately change to their alter ego and act like a 5 year old with half a bottle scotch in them.

When the embarrassment was finally over we decided on dinner at Hugo’s Cellar, situated down town in the Four Queens Casino. Without doubt, one of my top 3 restaurants in Vegas. If you go, I seriously recommend the Beef Wellington.

After returning to Caesars we agreed to meet at the bar after a quick visit to our room. Marios eventually turned up but Hippy Bob had obviously got stuck to his mattress.

Quick drink at the bar and we took a tour of the bars planned for the “Skalie Pub Crawl” this Wednesday. Basically the same bars I showed Hippy Bob Last night. (I like to be vigilant)