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There are
tons of perks living in Las Vegas, and one of the best for a
poker player is being able to hop in your car for the 10 minute
drive to the Rio and the World Series of Poker.
No
packing, no being frisked, ex-rayed and made to walk barefoot at
the airport. No reservations, no taxis, and my puppies don’t
miss me and wonder if I am dead.
Just a
short drive. Of course, since it’s 187 degrees outside, it’s
287 degrees inside my car, and by the time I get there my AC
still hasn’t really cooled down and I’m sweating like Michael
Jackson in the Chuck-e-Cheese boys room.
But this
year they have valet, so at least to I don’t have to park at
Caesars and walk.
Ah, at
last I am here, the poker center of the universe, and the AC is
going strong. Having the privilege of playing in several big
events all over the world, it doesn’t take long to start running
into many familiar, and famous, faces.
I’m
registered for event #5, a $2500 buy-in no limit hold-em six
handed event. No, this cheapskate scribe didn’t pony up $2500,
he put up 50 bucks and won the seat online.
Paying big
bucks to play the pros would be like paying my ex-wife to have
sex with her. An impossibly unattractive prospect. Just
thinking about it makes me sweat like an Arab standing behind a
goat.
I get to
my seat 15 minutes early, and I’m starting to notice the AC is
really cranking in here. In fact, it’s sold cold in
here,
”certain sensitive body parts are poking
holes in my favorite poker shirt?”.
I think my dealer is getting turned on.
No sooner
do I sit down and I am joined by John D’Agostino, Michael
Mizrachi and Daniel Negraneau. That’s three of the top players
in the world at my 6 handed table. But that’s ok, poker players
love a challenge.
In a six
handed game the blinds come around much more quickly, so you
have to be a bit more aggressive in your play, and less
selective of your starting hands. It didn’t take very long for
the pros to get things rolling, and the action was hot and
heavy. Negraneau knocked out Mizrachi and D’Agostino, in the
first hour or so, and I actually won a couple of small pots from
him.
So when I
got a pair of tens, I put in a big raise, which Daniel called.
A king and queen on the flop left me checking my tens, and he
checked as well. I tried not to get to excited when my third
ten hit on the turn and I checked, hoping Daniel would bet.
Well he
did, and I decided to play act a little before going all in.
I’m about to make a big move on one of the best in the world and
now I’m sweating, even though this room is cold enough to hang
meat in. In fact, I’m so hot now, I’m sweating like the goat.
Daniel
calls, and to my chagrin he turns over a jack and a nine. It
seems my third ten made his straight and it’s bye-bye Bob.
The ten
minute drive home isn’t enough time to get over my
disappointment at such an early exit, and now it’s 387 degrees
outside. Well, at least I can swim naked in my own pool and no
one will laugh.
I’ll be
back to take another try or two, working the satellites for one
more shot.
That is,
as long as I don’t come down with pneumonia from the temperature
extremes. Next time, I’m bringing a sweater. With any luck,
I’ll be sitting with Cyndy Violette, and I will not be
lending her my sweater. |
