Every year, players eagerly await the World Series of Poker (WSOP) and 2010 is no exception. To a poker player, it’s an opportunity for fame and fortune. It really is a place where dreams come true.
Although it was 26 years ago, I vividly remember my first trip to the WSOP back in 1984. It changed my life forever. Although I had been a professional poker player for eight years, I lived in North Carolina at the time and had never been to the WSOP. I was an avid Little League coach back then and the WSOP took place in April and May, which conflicted with my Little League schedule, so I couldn’t ever go to the WSOP. In 1984, I decided to take a week off and go to Vegas.
Back then, tournaments were scheduled every other day, so in a week’s time, you could only play in three events (unlike today where they have three going in a day). I played in three tournaments and made two final tables. Because of my success at that WSOP, I knew I would never miss another one. I moved to Vegas shortly after the 1984 WSOP and haven’t missed one since. I also remember, like it was yesterday, the hand I got knocked out on and how I could/would/should have won a bracelet at my first WSOP.
With five players left in the Pot Limit Omaha tournament (the first time a Pot Limit Omaha tournament was held at the WSOP), we all had about average chips. The famous writer, David Sklansky, was still left, as was the reigning World Champion at the time, Tom McEvoy. McEvoy was the most aggressive player at the table and was raising quite a bit. He brought it in for the limit and I looked down at A-K-Q-8 double-suited in clubs and diamonds. Perhaps I should have re-raised, but I took the conservative route and just called.
The flop was Q-8-3 with two hearts, giving me the top two pair. McEvoy bet the pot and I was contemplating what to do. He could sense I was going to play the pot and said, “If you raise it, I’m going to set you all-in.” Then I said, “Well, I guess you’re setting me all-in then because I am raising it.” True to his word, he set me all-in.
We turned up our cards and he had 3-4-5-8 and no hearts! I had top two pair and he had bottom two pair! It couldn’t have looked better for me to double up and take the chip lead. Then it happened. Wham! A seven came on the turn and a six on the river, giving McEvoy a backdoor straight and the win. I busted out in fifth place and was devastated. My dream of winning a bracelet was dashed on a brutal beat. Although it took me another five years, I got one in 1989 and as long as I live, I’ll never have a greater feeling of joy in poker than when I won that first bracelet.
I’m not really sure what my WSOP schedule is going to be this year. I now live in California with a young son, so I won’t be around like I was when I lived in Vegas. I’m contemplating playing in the $50,000 Eight-Game kickoff event on May 28th and a number of $10,000 events. For sure, I’ll be in the WSOP Tournament of Champions on June 27th and the Main Event. I won the last WSOP Tournament of Champions they had (in 2006) and am really looking forward to defending my title.
There has been a lot of discussion about the WSOP Tournament of Champions event this year. It’s a million dollar freeroll for 27 players, with the winner getting $500,000. Five players get automatic entries (the three previous Tournament of Champions winners – Annie Duke, Mike Matusow, and I – as well as the reigning WSOP Main Event champion, Joe Cada, the WSOP Europe Main Event champion, Barry Shulman, and two qualifiers).
The remaining 20 players are being voted into the tournament by the fans, essentially creating an all-star type event, which I’m sure is what ESPN wanted. Obviously, this will be a star-studded final table, perhaps the greatest ever, and it will certainly make for great television.
Any time you have a voting process (i.e. a popularity contest), some deserving players will not get voted in and that’s a shame. However, I’m one who believes that whoever puts up an entire prize pool can put in anybody they choose and dictate whatever structure they want. The sponsor and WSOP agreed to allow the public to vote in players, just like they do for all-star games in other sports. That is creating a lot of excitement and discussion, which is a good thing.
Maybe those who don’t get in this year will get in next year. Regardless, everyone should see that this is a great event for poker and will only enhance its popularity. And it’s a million dollars coming back into the poker community!
I’m just happy that they found a sponsor and have revived the WSOP Tournament of Champions, which I was told will be an annual event. Stu Ungar once said to me, “Anybody can win a poker tournament. Defending, that’s where it’s at.” I love that quote and look forward to defending my title.