Having started to cover tourneys in a variety of places, I can say that we are especially well provided for in terms of our working conditions in the Atlantic City Casino, where I am this week helping cover LAPT Lima. And I’m not just talking about those helpful signs above our work stations.

First off, the LAPT, PokerStars, and Atlantic City Casino folks are all extremely supportive and looking out for us at every step. The wireless network by which we access the internet is very fast and reliable, too. And we enjoyed what I thought was a fairly incredible meal at the casino buffet during one of our breaks. Another one of those sample-dozens-of-things-without-necessarily-noting-what-they-were type affairs, with just about everything being equally tasty.

The running of the tournament has gone well thus far, too. There were 40 tables set up for play yesterday — 20 filling the main poker room, and 20 more taking up most of the outer area there on the second floor of the casino. They were ready for 400 players, maximum, and ended up seating 384, which came close to breaking the record (398) for entries in an LAPT event.

At one point during the day I went through to see where everyone was from, and counted 33 different countries being represented. Probably two-thirds or more are from South America, but there are a number from the U.S., Europe, and even a couple from Asia.

As was the case at the start of the EPT event in Kyiv, it was a bit of a challenge early on identifying folks. There were a few familiar faces — particularly the PokerStars pros who were there — though there were many with whom I was previously unfamiliar.

Of course, we had a lot of fun with one particular PokerStars pro, Maria “Maridu” Mayrinck, who for a short while early in the afternoon was wearing a disguise. But being a shamus, I was able to see through it, and so got our photographer, Carlos, to snap some pics.

Eventually we learned several new names and had a lot to report. Working alongside Reinaldo (writing for the Stars Spanish language site) and Sergio (writing for the Portuguese site) helped, as did working together with the PokerNews guys, Marc and Rick.

Speaking of PokerNews, Lynn Gilmartin was there yesterday, having arrived Vegas with a story about being delayed in Houston. Like me, she’d had an extra six hours or so added to her trip and hadn’t gotten to Lima until five a.m. or so. It was the first of a few coincidences that marked the day.

The other two happened about the same time, about halfway through the day’s play. Just as the fifth (of eight levels) began, I got messages of support regarding a tournament I was apparently playing against Vicky Coren. She had tweeted that she was “Heads up! Just me and Seamus the blogger left” in a Stars tourney. Shortly after, she tweeted that Seamus had won.

Alas, it was a fellow named Seamus McCauley — also a blogger — and not me who took down the sucker.

It was right about then we heard the news that a Dutch man named Joran van der Sloot, once a suspect in that 2005 case in which the U.S. teenager Natalee Holloway had disappeared in Aruba, was now suspected of killing a woman in Lima.

Adding to the weirdness of it all, the woman had been killed on May 30 — the five-year anniversary of Hollaway’s disappearance. Not only that, van der Sloot and the victim apparently met at the Atlantic City Casino, and some of these reports were saying he was in Lima for the LAPT event. Last I heard yesterday, he had fled to Chile and a manhunt was on.

We were knee deep in covering the tourney and so couldn’t really devote much attention to tracking down further details about van der Sloot or the murder. Kind of reminded me of a plane trip Vera and I had taken back in June 1994. We had changed planes in Chicago, then later learned we were there at the same time O.J. Simpson had been. (Recall Simpson had flown to Chicago the night of the murders.)

I imagine we’ll hear a bit more today about the van der Sloot situation, but again I anticipate being occupied with much else. Will certainly be a long day, as the plan is to play down to 24 before we stop. Check in over at the PokerStars blog to follow along.

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To celebrate National Pancake Day on February 23rd, IHOP will be giving away one Free short stack of their signature buttermilk pancakes to all of their guests. In return IHOP is requesting that their visitors make a donation to support the Children’s Miracle Network at any of the 15 Las Vegas IHOP locations.

Visit your local IHOP this Tuesday, February 23rd as they celebrate National Pancake Day from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Visitors will receive one free short stack (three) of their famous pancakes, while supplies last.

IHOP began its celebration of National Pancake Day in 2006 and since then, they have raised over $3.25 million to support charities in the communities that it operates. This year’s goal is to reach $5 million in its five years of celebrating this day.

National Pancake Day is actually a celebration that dates back several centuries when the English were preparing to fast for Lent. Since strict rules prohibited the consumption of any dairy products during Lent, people would use up all of the milk, eggs and butter before the fast…this led to what we know today as Pancake Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday.

With over 15 locations throughout Vegas, you have a few options of where to enjoy your free short stack. There are two locations on Las Vegas Boulevard and the majority of the restaurants are open 24 hours.

Terms and Conditions
There is a limit of one free short stack per guest. The offer is valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only while supplies last and is not valid with any other offer, special coupon or discount.

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Save 30% on Treasure Island’s Winter Sale with rates from only $41 on select dates through May 2010. Guests will also receive Free Breakfast for two at The Buffet with this offer.

Book your stay at Treasure Island by calling 800.288.7206 and mentioning offer code: MYTIGB or you can click here to book your stay at Treasure Island.

Extra Bonus: Stay for Free in 2010

Stay at least three nights from January 10th - May 26th, 2010 and receive One Night Free on your return trip to Treasure Island Las Vegas in 2010.

Check out shows at Mystere Theatre Treasure Island Las Vegas

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Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, the interactive dinner show performing at the V Theater inside the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino inside the Miracle Mile Shops in Las Vegas, is celebrating its 10th year in Sin City, with an improved show updated to include a variety of tunes, as well as great dance music mixed with familiar and traditional Italian songs.

The V Theatre has been totally redesigned for this new 10th anniversary production of Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding to recreate the original room from the New York City production and provide the audience with the feeling of old Italian wedding hall fantasy and Las Vegas nostalgia.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding is an interactive comedy in where audience members play the roles of “invited guests” at a side-splitting wedding ceremony and reception. The evening begins with the nuptials, followed by a rousing affair featuring a full Italian buffet, wedding cake, music, dancing, and lots of fun. You can enjoy the longest running comedy in Off-Broadway history and have a great evening complete with full Italian dinner, wedding cake, champagne toast and lots of laughs.

Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding performs nightly at 7:30 pm at the V Theater at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile. For tickets and show information, visit WDIAV Tickets or call the V Theater at 702 260-7200. For Groups of 6 or more, please call 702 260-8282. You can also take advantage of WDIAV’s Tony n’ Tinas Wedding discount coupon available on our coupon section. For more information, please click here.

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