Poker News

George Epstein

Was it a mere coincidence - or what? Was it a self-fullfilling or pre-ordained prophesy? Whatever. . . It was almost eerie! Could the fact that it was Friday the thirteenth have anything to do with it?

Earlier that day, I had discussed the concept of “nut” hands in hold’em with one of my two poker classes at the Claude Pepper Senior Citizen Center. This class consists of the more experienced players. (The other has beginners and less experienced players.) I wrote an example on the whiteboard showing the nut flush. Since I encourage class participation and discussion, Allen B. spoke up: “I see,” he exclaimed with the look of discovery on his face, “that’s a hand that cannot be beat!” Then I corrected his assumption, explaining that the only thing a player with the nut flush had to fear was if a pair was on the board; then an opponent possibly could have a full-house or quads. So I pointed to the whiteboard where I had written suited A-x, followed by a board with three of the same suit - the nut flush. Then I added two deuces as falling on the turn and river. If an opponent held two cards in the hole that gave him a set using one of the other board cards, he now had made a full house on the river. And now, I told the class, your nut flush is second-best. You lose. . .

Later that Day. That same evening in a middle-limit hold’em game at the Hustler Casino, one of the first hands dealt to me came up:

Wow! I had flopped the nut flush. Needless to say, I was quite thrilled. I contained my emotions so as not to give away my hand. I was in a middle position, and simply called an early player’s bet. There were several opponents still in.

Then the turn brought a second deuce. Now there was a pair on the board and, yes, I admit I was somewhat concerned. Still I felt confident that my nut flush was bound to take the pot. Perhaps it was wishful thinking. . . This time I raised and was somewhat surprised when one opponent reraised. Now I was apprehensive: Could he have made a full house with the pair of deuces on the board? But I knew he was a rather aggressive player; more likely, I thought - or, more accurately, I hoped - that he had two-pair or trip deuces. Now there were four of us still in the hand, one of whom was all in.

Guess What Fell on the River. . . It was a third deuce; so now the board showed:

Well, I think YOU KNOW THE REST OF THE STORY: As a matter of fact, two of my opponents had me beat. One had deuces full of tens; the other - the one who was all in - held deuces full of kings.

I’m not sure whether or not it was a bad beat; but I must admit I felt quite bad. The fact that I had discussed this very same situation with my poker class earlier that day just made it hurt a bit more.

. . . So readers, what’s YOUR opinion?

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