Poker News

Peter ‘the poet’ Costa

Continuing with tales from the WPT finals at the Bellagio. During this event, I saw a whole lot of gambling going on. This obviously led to many bad beats. However, even I must admit that I was shocked at the number.

But more importantly, how unjust it was for the players involved.

Take Surinder Sunnar (he won the WPT in Paris last year), he had been short- stacked for much of the first three days. However, he was playing great poker and got himself right back in the game. With a good average stack of 400K - he was under no pressure and selective with his hands. Well, you cant be more selective than A-A v 9-9. But a fourth diamond sealed his fate when he should really have been cruising. Phil Hellmuth was also fighting well with his shortish stack. But the eventual winner, was prepared to gamble with him. But Phil must have loved to see his A-K dominate the gambling K-J. But by the turn, Phil was talking to himself as his opponent made a straight!

We then had David Chiu. David was seated about three to my left with the second biggest stack after mine. I was at about 300K and in control of the table. But David had been playing great poker and suddenly took a slight chip lead over me. It was obviously going to be time for him to make a stance. Sure enough, he let me know that I was not going to be allowed to dominate by coming over the top a couple of times. As it happens, and as I thought - David had the best hand each time. Lucky for him that I didn’t call!

Anyhow,David now finds himself on the button with Q-Q. With blinds at 3K-6K, he makes it 24K to play. Isabelle Mercier, on the SB, decides to make a stand with her A-Qos. She moves all-in for about 140K. We then have Alan Goehring on the BB, who decides to gamble 8-8 and calls the 140K. David now moves allin for a further 162K. Alan, who is now regretting his initial call, but who is pot committed, calls.

Having mucked an 8 myself, I knew that David was in a great spot at least to win the side pot of 324K. The flop of T-T-2 was very good to David. They all missed the turn but a third diamond hits. Suddenly, we realize that Isabelle has the Qd and Alan the 8d. Surely it cannot happen again? This would be so undeserving to David. But another diamond hits and instead of being close to chip leader - David Chiu is gone! Just how cruel can this game be?

I know that as players, we are supposed to be ruthless and just look at what benefits us - but I just happen to enjoy seeing other players playing well. And even if David was to win the pot and become a nuisance to me - I would have still preferred that he won the hand. I guess I just enjoy playing with players who are at the top of their game.

Looking at the final six - you may well suggest that the gamblers dominated the event. You may well be right! However, I saw many who gambled and didn’t make it to the second day!

Maybe we can introduce a new rule to the game. How about - for pre-flop all-ins, the worst hand has the option to take back 50% and forfeit the other 50% to the best hand? No flop, no bad beats! Could be interesting?

Until next time -play well get lucky and only gamble if your lucky!

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