Mixed Game Festival XIII Is Cancelled. I’m Sorry.

I don’t suppose I’ve ever hated having to put in writing and publish an article greater than this one. I’ve very sadly needed to make the choice to cancel Blended Sport Competition XIII.

For individuals who don’t know, I dwell in Israel. As of this writing, our skies are closed “indefinitely” as a result of ongoing state of affairs on this a part of the world. British Airways cancelled my ticket nearly instantly. Even our nationwide provider, El Al, which all the time flies (even throughout wartime), will not be at present permitting folks to buy new tickets because it focuses its operations and sources on bringing residents stranded overseas house to their households.

However the Present Should Go On, No?

As occasions have continued to unfold over the past 2+ days, I’ve been scrambling to attempt to make contingency plans, discover substitute hosts, and envision Blended Sport Competition XIII persevering with with out me on-site. All through all that, and regardless of the unimaginable kindness and good intentions of many great individuals who supplied to step in and help, a lot of issues simply didn’t really feel proper.

If we try the aforementioned “Plan B” (and even “Plan C”, which might be cancelling Week 1 and ready for additional developments with the intention to decide re: Week 2), I’d be doing a disservice to our gamers, to Resorts World Las Vegas, and to our pageant’s sponsors – Light Spade, RunGoodGear, D&B Poker, and Pokercoaching.com. I all the time make a COMPLETE dedication to each occasion I put collectively. If I’m precluded – for no matter purpose – from offering that FULL effort, it will be unfair (for my part) to everybody else concerned who expects “Robbie’s Blended Sport Competition”.

Furthermore, if the pageant have been to proceed with out my being on-site, that may simply add pointless stress to my life that I frankly don’t want extra of whereas a battle is waging right here at house. In fact, added to all that may be the inescapable melancholy of watching my pageant unfold from afar with out having the ability to partake in all of the enjoyable.

When It Involves Household, Poker Takes a Backseat

My spouse, Miriam, has been unbelievably supportive all through these final couple days. A number of occasions, she mentioned “Robbie, you must go” and has spent an inordinate period of time kindly listening to me as I wavered backwards and forwards in my decision-making whereas incessantly refreshing for updates about potential exit routes. “And also you need to hold a great title and a great status along with your sponsors, with Resorts World, and with the individuals who attend,” she added.

She mentioned this, thoughts you, as we’re listening to dozens of sirens every day, as she, my children, and I spent an inordinate period of time collectively in our bomb shelter, together with sleeping there.

However even when I may by some means handle to discover a means out of Israel and make it to Las Vegas, the underside line is that it will simply be fallacious to go away my household underneath these circumstances.

Consider it or not, I truly discovered myself in the same state of affairs simply final summer season throughout Blended Sport Competition XI. There’s an vital distinction although; final summer season, I used to be already in Las Vegas when battle instantly broke out mid-festival. This time round, I’m house.

It’s one factor to be stranded; it’s one other factor to “abandon ship”.

The Fallout Sucks

I really feel horrible in direction of you guys, the gamers. So a lot of you made journey preparations, booked lodges, took day without work from work, and had different plans in place.

I really feel horrible in direction of the Resorts World poker site employees. We’ve held eight previous Blended Sport Competition there, and so they’ve all the time been so great and accommodating.

I really feel horrible in direction of our sponsors. When sponsorships for something within the poker business are more and more troublesome to come back by, you guys nonetheless stepped up and supplied your full-throated assist.

I’m so sorry, everybody.

For no matter it’s price, I nonetheless need to encourage you all to patronize D&B Poker, Pokercoaching.com, RunGoodGear, and Light Spade. They’re nice corporations in our business. Please give them your corporation.

And in the event you don’t find yourself cancelling your Las Vegas journey plans, please cease by Resorts World to play some poker. Verify PokerAtlas; you would possibly even discover a blended sport operating.

Now What?

Make no mistake about it, operating Blended Sport Festivals has change into a big a part of my enterprise. There’s a really actual monetary hit I’m taking by cancelling.

And, my Gd, do the a whole lot of hours I’ve invested into organizing every little thing, making my very own journey preparations, and selling the pageant really feel on reflection like a MASSIVE train in futility.

However it’s OK.

My household and I shall be OK. We’ll be collectively. We’ll journey out this battle as a household. That’s what issues most.

Regardless of how onerous they attempt to extinguish our flame, Am Yisrael Chai! 🇮🇱

I’ll finish off on a resoundingly constructive observe: Gdwilling, Blended Sport Competition XIV will proceed as scheduled this summer season. You’ll be able to mark your calendars: Could 31-June 11 at Bellagio Las Vegas. I hope to see you there!