Travel Report: EPT12 Dublin, Day 1 -- Something Wilde

That’s Oscar Wilde looking especially relaxed on a rock there in Merrion Square Park, not far from Wilde’s childhood home, actually. Saw that and much else during the bike-riding excursion yesterday about which I was telling you. A suitable enough pose for that whole “life is too important to be taken seriously” point of view, yea?

Things got relatively serious today as far as the EPT12 Dublin festival goes with the start of the €25K High Roller event, the continuation of the UKIPT Main Event, as well as a number of other side events including a “Chess and NL Mixed Tournament.” That latter one caused a bit of a double-take as I walked past and saw chessboards and pieces, not cards and chips.

And of course the work of reporting began in earnest today, and we all know the importance of being earnest. That said, I think everyone -- players, staff, media, and others -- who together make these EPTs run so smoothly well knows how to have fun, too, amid the seriousness.

The arrangements for reporting are fine, and in fact the food at the venue is above average (at first taste, anyway), which is always nice. As Algernon says in Earnest, “I hate people who are not serious about meals. It is so shallow of them.”

I greatly enjoyed reuniting with friends and colleagues today while reporting on the event, which as expected drew a lot of big names as it is the highest buy-in tournament on the 67-event schedule.

Gonna cut it short today as it is late and I’m already tuckered. Check the PokerStars blog for updates, features, and more regarding everything happening at the Royal Dublin Society.

Had thought I might sign off with another Wilde allusion, but I am sick to death of cleverness. Everybody is clever nowadays.