The insideSTL.com Poker League Starts Up At Harrah's October 18th...With World Series of Poker Circuit Event Seats On The Line For Ten Finalists...And You Can Still Sign Up

I wrote about this on Monday in my STL Poker column, but I wanted to bring it to the casual readers who may want to get involved with what figures to be one hell of a set-up for Friends of The Site.

In a new development, for those fearful of a shovefest, I'm happy to report all players will start with $5,000 in chips and blinds will be 25/50 with levels lasting 30 minutes. In other words, it's a good structure that should reward quality play over the long haul.

For more details on the cash prizes, the buy-in, and the World Series of Poker Circuit involvement, click HERE. We've already filled up more than 33% of the field, so if you or someone you know is interested, make sure you email me as soon as possible at tmckernan@insidestl.com.


The Debacle That Was Our Tickets At The U2 Show Saturday Night At Soldier Field: We Weren't Alone

In Monday's column, I detailed the disappointment that was the U2 Concert Saturday night at Soldier Field. I noted that I wasn't sure if the concert was not up to snuff...or if it was the fact that our seats were pretty crappy because of being blocked by an overhang.

Nonetheless, considering all the build up for the show, we left wondering what happened...considering U2 has put on some of the best concerts I've attended.

Well, it turns out that Anna-Marie and I weren't the only ones to experience this disaster at Soldier Field. Here are some of the emails I received about the issue:

Tim,
I was at 9/12 U2 show. Section 110, row 16, the experience was terrible and we were ripped off at $250 per ticket. I bought four for my wife, friends, and myself. What a joke. I am trying to organize the hundreds of people that got screwed at the 9/12 and 9/13 show. I am from Indy and was at the St. Louis show December 2005 in the inner circle. Amazing. We did not get the same experience as those who paid the same price at lower rows. I will keep you posted.
Neil

Tim,
I must have been sitting next to you! I was in Section 105 (even with the stage, on Adam's side) in row 17, and the seats were so bad that I actually left to go find someone to complain to. It took me a while, but I finally met up with Soldier Field/U2 supervisors, and they exchanged my terrible tickets for ones on the other side of the stage.

I walked out from the vendor corridor into section 141, and I was totally blown away. The lights, the sound, the whole vibe was there--as good as in 2005 and fresh. I didn't get to stand with my husband, and we missed about 40% of U2, but the difference was laughable. The new tickets got me into a CONCERT. The experience under the overhang was like sitting in someone's living room with the lights on, while someone played a DVD of a U2 concert--in another room.

The band worked hard, the tour was excellent--the east side of Soldier Field should probably be dropped into Lake Michigan. I too bought my tickets through the U2.com pre-sale, and the band is not getting credit for their hard work and outstanding concert, due to the screw-up that is Chicago.

I'd be interested to hear if there is anything you are able to do to salvage that experience.

Regards,
Amy Adams

And, then there is this blog...in which a lady is furious about what took place:

http://mistressofallevil.blogspot.com/

Apparently, this was such a big deal that all you have to do is type "Chicago + U2 + overhang" in google, and you'll get plenty of stories about it.

In one sense, I'm glad that this now explains why we thought the show was so average. However, in another sense, I'm really disappointed that nearly every review I've read about the show is beyond complimentary...and we didn't get nearly the same experience.

It'd be one thing if we could get to another show, but their tour wraps up at the end of October, and hopefully, there'll be a baseball team playing all month that will make a trip to Las Vegas on October 23rd, for example, something I'm not interested in doing. But, even if the Cardinals aren't still playing at that point, Missouri plays Texas for homecoming on the 24th. And, other than Norman, Oklahoma in mid-August, there really aren't any realistic chances to go see them play...and that really sucks, because the set list was phenomenal, and the actual stage and set-up for the whole event was unlike anything I'd ever seen---albeit on YouTube.

So it goes...

Quick Hits

- Tomorrow at Vito's (3515 Lindell) for Happy Hour between 5 and 8 p.m., insideSTL.com and The Ticket Guys will be raffling off tickets to the Cardinals-Cubs, Rams-Packers, Blues' Home Opener, Bruce Springsteen, and Game 1 of the Cardinals' NLDS. Raffle tickets are just $5 apiece or $20 for five tickets. Your odds of winning are incredibly good...considering we'll be raffling of 14 sets of two tickets. On top of all of that, Vito's has drink specials beyond belief ranging from $2 pints of some top of the line beers to $5 pizzas...yeah, $5 Vito's pizzas. Not bad considering how famous the pizza is. CLICK HERE to read yesterday's column for more details.

- Ken Rosenthal on The ITD Morning After yesterday: "The Cardinals have the best team in the National League. And, I'd put their rotation up there with any of the teams still in the mix for the postseason."

- Dan Dierdorf on The ITD Morning After yesterday: "If anyone doesn't think it's possible that the Rams are gone in 10 years, they're naive."

Log-in and post your comments, or you can email me at tmckernan@insidestl.com.