Every year the major online poker rooms throw big bashes to coincide with WSOP. (video inside of article)

This year PokerStars had theirs at the Rain Nightclub at the Palms Casino Resort. Rain is on the casino level of the resort and consists of 25,000 square feet area in multiple level environments.

It has everything from gyrating fountains, elevated dance floors and luxurious private areas. It is one of the best partying locations in Las Vegas as the few thousand that attended the burlesque themed PokerStars party found.

Poker Stars had issued different levels of VIP access to different categories of people. Not everyone could go everywhere but no one seemed to mind that. The black wristbands could go everywhere but not so the gray ones. And if someone wanted to go to the restricted areas really badly he could always borrow a black wristband for a while from an obliging friend like Emad.  

There was enough for everyone to do and see and the free booze was flowing. The PokerStars pros were all there and the scribes and bloggers were busy taking mental notes. The Australian contingent was at the bar, where else. Joe Hachem was there with family. Others included Tony Hachem, Emad Tahtooh, Grant Levy, Billy the Croc, Gary Benson and Shane Warne. Shane Warne has taken up poker after retiring from cricket and the Aussie press has commented that Warne has made up for his failed ambition to lead the Australian cricket team by leading the Australian poker team. Though this is not quite the same thing because in cricket Australia is Number One. Last year’s Last Woman Standing, Maria Ho, was there as a part of Joy’s entourage and was enjoying her last few moments (days) of limelight. Maria has since then given her crown of Last Woman Standing to close girl friend Tiffany Michelle. With so much booze and so many people fights were inevitable. PokerNews employees Eric Ramsey and Joe Schepis were seen scrapping though over what is not known.

The oomph was provided by burlesque dancers gyrating on platforms suspended above the air. But the lead dancer was Dita Von Teese who was seen off stage in a ravishing red Christian Lacroix outfit. Though bloggers who saw her pictures on the Internet have not been so kind. Pale, dead, and old-fashioned were the adjectives used. However those who attended the PokerStars party say that her signature Martini dance strip tease was hot.

Though not as hot as the heat being generated by Isabelle Mercier and Dario Minieri. A lot had happened before that. By ten Isabelle was tipsy. Her escort, Bill Chen, had drunk more than he could handle and was in no mood for fun. Isabelle was committed to stay on till 1 a.m. It was then that she went for Dario Minieri. And everyone who thought that Minieri should not be allowed on the poker tables because he is underage are busy doing rethinks. Isabelle and Minieri put on such a snogging festival that heads were turning only in their direction.