Although the Main Event of the World Series Poker doesn’t start until Thursday, Scotty Nguyen, the exuberant poker pro known for his big smile, flashy jewelry and habit of calling everyone “baby,” recently won the tournament that some pros actually consider the real championship of poker.

Nguyen scooped up his fifth career World Series of Poker bracelet in winning the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E championship earlier this week. From the perspective of pure skill, this tournament is considered the premiere event of the WSOP because it requires players to compete in five different games – Hold ‘em, Omaha, Razz, Seven-card Stud and Eight or better -- and requires a hefty $50,000 buy-in, reputedly the largest buy-in of a regularly-scheduled tournament in the world.

As a result, the field is one of the smallest of the 55-event World Series of Poker but it’s a star-studded cast of players and the competition is grueling. Only 148 players entered this year but among poker pros, to win this event is an enormous honor and the payday was huge for Nguyen, nearly $2 million.

Nicknamed the Prince of Poker, Nguyen is the third to capture the title following the winner of the inaugural $50K H.O.R.S.E, the late Chip Reese, for whom the event’s trophy is now named, and last year’s champion, Freddy Deeb, known for his loud shirts.

While we’re on the subject of the WSOP, this is an opportune moment to say that we’ll be posting a little less frequently over the next two weeks here at O, by the Way.

In the TV business when Leno or Lettermen do it, they call it a hiatus. Hey, it’s a vacation but we’re going to take advantage of the chance to get away to cover some interesting stuff and pass along our observations.

We’ll start with the opening of the Main Event of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas. The opening round alone will take four days, July 3-6, and keep you up to date on Maryland players. Then, we plan to catch our first live mixed martial arts fight, a UFC card with the marquee event being Quinton “Rampage” Jackson against Forrest Griffin.

So continue to stop by from time to time over the next two weeks and we hope to have some items to thrill and delight. Or at least that are a diversion from spreadsheets and daily memos.