Memorial Day is fun in Las Vegas. We are hours away from the start of the 2015 World Series of Poker and the big names are starting to come out of the woodwork. I sat for a few hours at the Bellagio Poker Room playing 1/3NL.
The Big Game was going on in Bobby's Room. I don't know everybody who was playing at the table but I did recognize Doyle Brunson, still taking his place with the high rollers at the fresh young age of 82.
Then while I was squeezing cards and stacking chips I suddenly realized that non other than Barry Johnston was sitting at our table.
Barry is a dignified man who won the 1986 WSOP Main Event as well as a total of five WSOP Gold Bracelets.
Oh, and he is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame.
He bet, I called. Flop came blanks. He bet, I called, hoping against hope. Blank Turn came, he bet and I folded so fast I might have sprained my wrist. It is tough when you have to play 1/3NL against WSOP champions, but that is Vegas sometimes.
After about 20 hands he got up and went to a table with bigger stakes.
Yeah, it's that time of the year.
As for me it was a wierd session. When I first sat down there was one tourist from France in the 4 seat with about $1300 in chips in front of him. The rest of the table had less than $300 and most were buying in for only $100. In fact I had the second biggest stack with my $300 buyin.
A wild ride began as I was getting big cards and getting smacked the bad way. My pocket pair QQ lost to an All In 55 when he hit a set on the flop. Thank God he only had about $80. A couple of hands later my KK ran into AA - again, short stack limited the damage. In just a bit I was down about - $150 and considering rebuying.
But then AA held up for a decent pot. Then my own 55 struck set gold and I raked a good sized pot. Then my evil side kicked in and I raised on the button with 72 - off suit of course. The flop was 228 and I dragged another good pot from two others playing - K high?????? Uff da!
The games then began.
In the end I had to go pick a friend up, otherwise I would have stayed longer. Five hours and up about $450, I'll take that.
Wednesday is the start of the WSOP. I can't wait!
Oh, this is really an unforgettable experience. I play on a small). Try not to get too carried away. But the people you are talking about! It's a legend! Doyle Brunson, Barry Johnston! It is very cool! Plus $450 for 5 hours! And that's not counting the priceless emotions!) You are so lucky!
ReplyDeleteYes - that is part of the fun of being a poker player in Las Vegas!
ReplyDeleteSorry for perhaps inappropriate question, but I'm really interested. What are your favorite places in Las Vegas?
ReplyDeleteThis changes a lot. I used to love the MGM but since it moved not so much. For the big rooms I think I prefer Belalgio and Aria. For the smaller rooms Harrahs and Bally's.
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