Welcome  

Instructors

  Lessons  

  FAQ 

  Testimonials 

  Resources 

  Articles 

  Book Reviews 

Special Offers

  Affiliations 

  Contact 

A Chip, a Chair, and a Prayer!
By Al Spath 

I could not imagine the intensity and the electricity felt throughout the casino as I strode into Binion's to play in my first World Series of Poker. There was a buzz of excitement emanating from everywhere in the room. And in separate corners, like heavyweight prizefighters, stood the real giants and legends of the game. "Amarillo" Slim Preston, Johnny Chan, and Doyle Brunson to name a few. All were holding court with a small number of friends and several wide-eyed admirers who got into the tournament during those ever-popular satellite games. Although the icons of poker were entrenched with introductions and all that "how ya been talk," they continued to have a watchful eye on the entire room. You could see their eyes scanning the room, sizing up competitors, and filing away tidbits of information on mannerisms, facial expressions and of course body language. An art most of us are learning and developing as we compete during each tournament or in a local ring game. Nothing like years of experience to detect the slightest tell, right Mike Caro? 

Waiting for all the pre-tournament hype and the chip distribution to conclude was painstakenly slow and time consuming. I keep mumbling to myself that if I don't see a flop pretty soon, I'm just going to explode from anticipation and nervousness. You see, to us newcomers, the thrill of being there is like the first time having sex. It's quick, it's often painful, and then it's over! Then for years to follow we talk about how great it was and by the time we're 30, our recollection of this event is conclusive proof of how manly we really were, even at our first attempt. 

Getting back to the tables and the first shuffle and deal. The noise level in the room grew with every breath we took, and when the official word came to start dealing the room fell silent as competitors slid into character, poker face on, sunglasses positioned just right, and head sets attached to one or both ears. I was shocked to see two former WSOP champions at my table and the bracelets they were wearing were certainly intimidating pieces of hardware. Where are my sunglasses? 

I've got my chips, I'm in my chair and I've said a last prayer for luck; so deal the stinkin' cards! Round the table the cards slid so effortlessly across the newly laid felt tabletop. A King of clubs then a Queen of hearts, good cards for the first tournament hand when most players play somewhat tight and are often busy sizing up the rest of the table. Being in the small blind I begin to process information and quickly looking for tells. Do I raise when it comes around to me, or act tight and set a small trap. I'll be first to act after the flop no matter what, so do I want to advertise? Three limpers later the decision is mine and I must not hesitate with my action. Bam, I raise the pot $400 and get two callers from seat 5 (lets call him Rowdy) and seat 7 (lets call him Elton, being he has a British twang). Now being in the small blind I've put the burden on myself to lead at the pot or show weakness. What would the flop bring, and how would I proceed? The flop comes, Qc, 6h, 2s rainbow and I bet $800. Seat 5 folds what had to be a drawing hand, and seat 7 smooth calls. The turn is Jc and seems like no help to either of us and I bet $1400. Seat 7 again just calls and I look for something like a 7 on the river, preferably not a club, and definitely not a card that pairs the board. It's unbelievably a 7 of hearts, as I breathe a bit easier and bet $2,500. Without hesitation, Elton comes over me with an all-in raise on the very first hand I have entered. Holy mackerel, I slump conspicuously back in my chair and examine my hand again. Did I miss calculate my opponents hand. Wouldn't he have raised with AA, KK, or QQ, from seat 7 with those type cards? I certainly would. Or did he have AQ and I'm out kicked. Oh crap, there goes my theory on demonstrating beginning tournament savvy and taking down an early pot. I started to push all my chips and call his bet when my hand started shaking and I suddenly pulled back both my thoughts and the bet. I promptly folded what I thought was a sure winner. 

Normally, opponents don't show cards when they don't have to, but Elton wanted the entire table to see his A2 of clubs and flashed his hand. I had thrown away the winner, exposed myself to the entire table as to what type of player I was, and also let Elton plant a seed for his opponents to fear or try to conquer. Worse than anything, I was on tilt, and it wasn't five minutes into the tournament. 

Just as I posted the big blind I heard loud music and rose to see what the hell was going on! To my amazement and relief it was just my alarm clock and the beginning of another workday. I was quite relieved learning it was only a dream, but damn, it seemed so real. Here I thought my entry into the 2001 WSOP had been secured by winning an on-line sweepstakes from Poker Pages. No chance, I was only playing cards several times a week and continuing to bet hands from a deep sleep. Maybe it was the excitement that this time of year brings with the big tournament, or maybe I too have let the magical, addicting potion of poker capture my soul. 

My wife has always said, "Over doing alcohol is a bad habit but is easy to detect, however with poker players, you can't even smell the cards on their breath!" 

Oh Floorman!