I think I did 20+ Derbys going back to the EW.
The EW was flat out fun and I obviously stuck with the new joint for many years, cashing several times in the 1pocket and even making it to something like the last 18. However, as they allowed the tournament to grow without limiting entries, given the number of tables they could cram in, it became less and less fun. One year I zoomed in bright and early only to learn I would not play until morning the next day. The following year I am inbound on the river road to the casino and look at the online scheduling and find out I'm playing the first round and have 25 minutes to get my badge and get to my table. It's so crammed that unless you get up in the middle of the night, like 4am, it's impossible to get a table to gamble or practice on.
AND THEN they started limiting the food available. For a while there was an Asian joint that was pretty good, a burger joint, and then they down sized to an Asian booth, and then the last time I went even that was closed. I ended up eating at the steak house because it was the only decent food though stupid expensive.
The last few years I'd get there and would, literally, sit in my room and tell myself to record a video to my future self who would be entertaining going to the Derby and tell them, "Don't do it. It sucks and it is not worth it." I never did the video but did finally listened to my past self and have found other things to do like the Railyard Mini Deby, the International Open (finished tied for 12th), or just go down to Buffalo's in May and eat great food in New Orleans and sweat the big 1pocket.
I appreciate what Greg & Co. have done but it's not for me anymore. I am a much happier camper now not going.
Lou Figueroa
