Every day...hell, every moment spent on the tournament floor has within it several instances of why I both love and hate the game. I totally hate it because:
Every cliche about the Amazon Room being a "poker jungle" is true
I mean, seriously, can't we be a bit more creative than running the jungle image into the ground? Eugene Todd, bro, actually had a new and improved metaphor to describe the pandemonium around the $5,000 Heads-Up event. Heather told me that he walked into the room and blurted, "This is worse than $@#%ing immigration!" The tournament started over two hours late, players were moved from table to table, several players went back to their room because they had a bye, and eventually the second round was moved back an hour as well.
The best hand never seems to win
I was sweating Erick "E-Dog" Lingren in the $2,500 Six-Handed event in the hopes of getting some late-stage six-handed strategy tips from him. Steve Wong was on a bit of a rush at his table, opening several pots in a row and E-Dog had already come over the top of him all-in. The second time they butted heads, Steve opened for 16k, E-Dog pushed in for 120k and Steve called with 66. Erick had him dominated with 1010 but a 6 fell on the turn. It was a huge overcall for Steve, and Erick had set up the situation perfectly. If Erick wins the hand, he probably would've made his second six-handed final table in two years.
No matter how many small pots you win, it's the big ones that count
PokerWire Radio host/King of Hairy Italian comedy Joe Stapleton and I were watching a few players during their heads up matches. I had watched Howard "Bore A Hole Through Your Skull With My Icy Stare" Lederer win small pot after small pot against Dan "Will Someone Please Buy Me a Hat That Fits" Harrington, but Harrington seemed to win the really big ones. The same was true of Kristy Gazes against Rene Angelil. Angelil limped in and both players checked down an A8XX8 board until the river, when they got it all in. Kristy held 86 but Angelil slowplayed AA to double up.
However, for every moment in tournament poker that makes me vomit in my mouth, there's at least one more reason why I love it:
If it weren't for luck, Phil Hellmuth really would win every tournament
The guy is a machine. He's already at another final table. ESPN actually shut down play last night at 10 players because Phil was on the short-stack and they wanted him to be on TV. It turned out to be a smart move by them, as he has already outlasted a few players. Phil's ability to put on a clinic year in and year out at the WSOP demonstrates that it truly is a game of skill. Yes, players go through streaks of "running good" and "running bad," but in the end it all evens out and the best players come out on top.
Mr. Bell is a hell of a guy
This good ol' boy from North Carolina always brings a smile to my face. He waved me over to the rail to meet Mrs. Bell today, and ask about an update on his boy. I first met Chris Bell's dad at the LAPC where his son just missed the final table. Watching him and Mike Gracz (affectionately called "Keeeid" by Mr. Bell) pound the beers is entertainment worth paying for. Mr. Bell is the only guy I know who could give JDN a run for his money on storage capacity for hops and barley.
I have the best co-workers a guy could ask for
Seriously--I'm getting paid to travel around the world and watch people play poker--and I get to do it with some of my favorite people. I tend to not be a late-night guy, but I decided to come back to the Rio last night to hang out with Alex (aka AlFX), Really Good Producer Jeremy, and LA Mike last night at Tilted Kilt. Everyone at PokerWire has a niche and it's great to see an all-star team like this together (with Heather, Amanda, and Stapes rounding out the field). The WSOP has been fun, but when we have the access to events we're used to (live updates, chip counts, and video), look out, because we'll have the best coverage on the net.
The Urban Dictionary accepts new poker terminology
Thanks to Gavin for pointing this out on the radio show.
