A couple of weeks ago, three pros left the UB roster. Having some space to fill they decided to fill that space by signing female pro Maria Ho to a sponsorship deal. Many people outside of poker will remember Ho for her stint on the Amazing Race with Tiffany Michelle. In poker circles, she is known for her great play and many think that she is one of the hotter female pros.

I'm not a normal poker scenester so you won't catch me at many of the charity events, unless there's a hefty open bar, I'm working, or both. However last week Power Balance, the new performance enhancing bracelet company, threw a charity tournament at Drais in the W Hotel Hollywood and I was asked to help with stats on the final table. The W Hotel is amazing and Drais is much different than the after hours club I'm used to in Vegas. The table was set and quickly loads of celebs and poker pros filled the rooftop lounge.

*LA-LA-Land of the Lakers* *Something is afoot* Phil Ivey can do what he wants *Boats and Ho-Chips*.

There are six tournaments going on at present here at the Rio. Both the $1,000 and $1,500 NL’s are playing down to the final table. The $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo is down to 12 and playing to the final table. The $5,000 NL Holdem Shootout is still going strong.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The start of which is celebrated by Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday, giving everyone the opportunity to over indulge in whatever it is they may be giving up for the next 40 days and 40 nights. Poker players tend to overindulge in a lot of things, given the fact that they live on a different schedule than most people and are used to having anything they want at any given time. I asked a few poker players what it was they would give up for 40 days if they had to choose.