There weren't many Americans (or even Englishmen, for that matter) in the Irish Open, so it was no wonder that once we drew for seats, I knew no one at my table. Most everyone seemed to know me, however, and this put me at a disadvantage on this particular day. One guy on my left decided that he was going to impress me, or was trying to show off -- I don't know which. But for the first few hours, every time I raised a pot, he reraised. And every time I just limped, he did, as well.
The World Poker Tour came to the Bay Area in early March, and I was fired up! First, the host casino -- Bay 101 in San Jose -- is in my backyard. And second, I had just made the final table of the WPT event in L.A. 10 days earlier. So, I was feeling like I was at the peak of my powers, and I had the added bonus of being able to sleep in my own bed.
Before heading across the pond, I went to Bay 101 in San Jose, California, for the Shooting Star tournaement, one of my favorites. The casino is top-notch, and has the most dedicated poker fans on the planet. Not only that, but I was hosting a charity tournament in San Jose for the Leo Brian Foundation.
Last December, I was in the Bahamas, playing a WPT Boot Camp Battle for the Season Pass tournament. I played some interesting hands that I thought I would share with you.
Recently, 665 of us began play in the L.A. Poker Classic at Commerce Casino in L.A. This World Poker Tour event featured a $10,000 buy-in and a $1.6 million first-place prize. I was extra motivated to play my best poker, for several reasons. First, despite a pretty good track record, I have never won a WPT event, and the new players like to remind of that little fact. Second, I skipped this event last year, and I really regretted missing it--as it really is a "classic."
For 12 days in early February, I was in London playing in Premier League Poker. This one-of-a-kind event features 12 known players who are playing in six heats, six players per heat, for points. The top four point earners advance to the six-player finals, the middle four point earners play heads up for the other two seats, and the bottom four point earners are "relegated" (a common word in European sports, meaning something like "sent down to the minors").
I know you're wondering why I let that donkey Phil Ivey win the L.A. Poker Classic, so I'll recap my short-lived tournament before getting to what this column is really about. It was about halfway through day one. A guy in middle position raised my big blind, one player called, I called with the 7 5, and the flop came A-6-4 with two clubs. I checked, the raiser bet 3,000, the other guy folded, and I moved in for 18,000 total. He had a bit more in chips than I did, and studied awhile.
Recently, I saw the tape of the final table where I won my record-setting 11th gold bracelet. I remember how special that day was for me, and how remarkably the number 11 informed the occasion. First of all, I was going for my 11th World Series of Poker win. Second, the final table was held on June 11. And finally, my younger sister, Molly, for whom the bracelet was promised years earlier, was born on 11/11/1971. Of course, Molly e-mailed me to remind me that I was destined to win because of all of those elevens. Thanks, Molly, that e-mail helped me believe I would win! (It was kinda freaky!) That 11th bracelet now resides in New York City with Molly.
Recently, I watched a rerun of Poker After Dark from 2007, featuring Barry Greenstein, Eli Elezra, Jennifer Harman, Phil Ivey, Allen Cunningham, and David Benyamine. Usually, the players buy in for $20,000, with a first-place prize of $120,000; but in this case, it was a $60,000 buy-in, with a $360,000 first-place prize. I love watching Poker After Dark. It reminds me of the old days when I used to play primarily with great players - the same ones who regularly play on Poker After Dark now. These days, I'm not around the poker tour as much - until the World Series of Poker events begin - and I miss the guys and gals. I miss the witty banter, the big mood swings (OK, that's just me!), the intelligent conversations, the side bets, the high-stakes poker, and just the feel of competing against the best. Poker After Dark runs six days a week on NBC at 2 a.m.
