Coming to My Senses

So, you threw away K-K before the flop. Your opponent opened the pot for $1,200, you made it $1,700 more, and he moved in your last $12,000. You showed the K-K and folded, and he showed you the pocket aces!

So, you threw away A-6 after the flop of A 10 6. When your opponent opened for $1,500, you reraised him $3,000 before the flop. Then, you bet out $3,000 and he moved your last $30,000 all in after the flop. What if he had the A K or a pair of aces with the ace-high flush draw? He didn't. He said that he had A-10 suited, and you believed him.

Sounds like a couple of great laydowns to me.

Then, you pushed in $1 million with the flop of Q 9u 4 while holding Q-10? Wow, that play doesn't sound too good, does it? Oh, I see, that's the hand that you went broke on. Well, what can you say now, you big dummy? Did you think that you had the best hand? You did think that? It was still a bad play to risk all of your chips with this hand against the only player who could break you with five players left.

"I know! I have been bothered by that play and the fact that I lost a $1.1 million pot with 9-9 (two black nines, the same hand that I won the World Series of Poker with in 1989!) against my opponent's 6-6 all in before the flop (I felt that if I had won this pot, I would have won the World Series)."

So, you feel pretty unlucky about several things that happened at the World Series this year?

"Yes!"

Yeah, Phil, life is rough. (What can this Phil Hellmuth character be thinking? Is he nuts? Here, I'm going to straighten him out right now!) Phil, do you have all of your fingers, toes, and limbs? Phil, are you able to use all of your senses? Do all of your internal organs work perfectly? Is your mind clear and strong, albeit a little bit messed up? (He is a bit of a "Poker Brat," after all!) Do you not, in fact, have perfect health? Are you not madly in love with your wife after 11 years? Isn't it true that you have two wonderful children who, along with your wife, have perfect health? Isn't that enough to feel very blessed?

"Absolutely, you're right; I am starting to feel a bit better right now!"

I'm not done yet, Phil. What about the perfect health of your brother, sisters, and parents? What about the fact that you won a World Series tournament this year? What about your being in the money seven times at the World Series this year? What about the seven bracelets that you own from the World Series? What about your house, worldly possessions, and fame and fortune? Do you realize that you made four final tables and cashed for more than $700,000 at the World Series this year? What about the book contracts, poker video projects, and cameo appearances being written into movies for you right now? Phil, you really are pathetic to feel sorry for yourself like this!

Did you ever think that things happen for a reason? I mean, fine, you played great poker without ever being all in for almost four days in the "big one." You made great laydowns and great moves, and showed everyone the player you can be. Most importantly, you know that all of this happened for a reason; you will be back, and you'll be even stronger than before. Sometimes people need to come close just to "steel" their resolve for next time! Sometimes people have to come close just to remind themselves of how badly they really want it! Have faith that you will be back, Phil, and give thanks for being blessed with all that you have!

"You're right, and I'd like to extend congratulations to Carlos Mortensen for winning the World Series this year. Carlos, you played some great poker and your picture will look real good up there on the World Series of Poker champions board! And you seem to be a pretty nice guy, even though you can't play golf worth a darn!

"Thank you so much to the universe for all that I have; I feel truly blessed. And who knows, I might be back at the world championship final table again soon!"

Good luck with your life this week. Editor's note: Phil Hellmuth can often be found playing poker online at www.ultimatebet.com, where you can play and chat with him and other people from around the world.