Poker News

Mike Eikenberry

It is only normal to remember the good things that happen to us. But sometimes losing a hand can be memorable and educational too.

WSOP LAY-DOWN. In 1995, I played in the WSOP Final for the first time. I sought advice from several players for whom I hadhigh respect, including Mel Judah. Among other things, Mel told me that Vince Burgio, who was at my table, was a very tough, solid player. If I bet the flop and Vince called or raised, I should be done with the hand unless I had a monster. Three hours into the tournament, I raised four times the big blind with pocket kings. To my surprise, Vince called. On a rainbow flop of J-9-3, I bet the pot and Vince moved in. After thinking a couple of minutes and remembering Mel’s advice, I folded my pair of kings face up. Vince showed me his pocket nines-he had saved me sleepless nights wondering if I had made the right lay down.

RERAISE TO THE FOURTH POWER. The “Grand Old Master” of poker, Johnny Moss, won the World Championship three times. He played against the best in the world and for the highest stakes. In the last few years of his life, he lived in a complimentary suite at Binion’s and played poker almost every day in the casino. As Johnny approached and passed age 80, he often played $20-$40 hold’em. Although his game may have slipped a little, the Master was still a formidable opponent. He taught many expensive lessons to young upstarts who liked to challenge him. Although I usually played $10-$20, I could not resist joining the $20-$40 game when a seat opened up on Johnny’s immediate left. The lessons to be learned figured to be worth playing a little above my comfort zone and if I got lucky, I might even beat the Master.

Early in the game, the cards were running over me. Johnny played few hands and none when I was in the pot; however, I noticed him watching me closely several times when I was playing. A hand developed where everyone folded to Johnny on the small blind. I had A-J of clubs and was ready to raise on the big blind. After studying me a few seconds, Johnny limped in. I raised. Johnny thought a moment and re-raised. This surprised me and I called.

The flop was J-J-Q with two spades. Johnny checked and I bet my three jacks. Johnny checkraised. I thought about reraising but decided to see what the turn brought. At this point, I knew I was facing a pair of aces or kings, a flush draw, or possibly three jacks. When the turn brought the trey of spades, Johnny checked. If he was afraid of the flush, I had him. I bet again. He check-raised again - and I knew he had a flush. I called and hoped the board would pair.

The beautiful trey of hearts came on the end. Johnny took his time and checked. I had gotten lucky and drawn out on the Master. I was excited, and I bet. For the fourth and last time, Johnny Moss check-raised. After almost re-raising, I decided we had the same hand and just called. Johnny turned over a pair of queens for a winning full house.

As he raked in the pot, Johnny said nothing but he had taught me a valuable and costly lesson. A “check” against an aggressive player does not always mean, “I have nothing;” it only means, “I am not betting right now.” I am sure Johnny had studied my betting habits and patterns, and was confident that I would bet each time. It is the only hand I ever played that I bet every street and was re-raised each time. But then Johnny Moss was the Man.

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