Table 12, seat 6

The few moments before a poker tournament reminds me a lot of exam time. Many young, boisterous people gather around the entrance trying to convince themselves that they know what they're doing and perhaps intimidate their peers. This is especially the case here were the age required to play is only 18 or 19 years old, versus 21 in the US so they stereotypical internet pro is disproportionately represented here. In the lobbies where wireless access is available you can't look around without seeing someone multi-tabling poker on their laptop at all hours of the day.

The poker room this year takes up the grand ballroom where over 40 tables are set up to accomodate the tournament and side games. Not quite the spectacle that was the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas but still quite impressive. A quick glance over the starting table list reveals no one recognizable at my table, so hopefully I'll have a fairly soft table. My goal this year is to hit a flush draw and not bluff off my chips when I miss.