Poker News

Oklahoma Johnny Hale

My daughter “Oklahoma Sarah” Hale won my OK-J Eightieth Birthday Poker Party Tournament at the Venetian last week. OK Sarah defeated some really good and well known poker players!

I said to her, “Honey, write it up in your next column!” She said, “No dad, people will think I brag.” I reminded her that we have many sayings in Oklahoma and the one that comes to mind is this, “If it is true it’s not bragging.”

But now folks, I’ll continue with the series of articles that I am writing here in Poker Player Newspaper about the greatest poker players of my lifetime-players whom I have had the honor and opportunity of playing a few hands of poker with.

Today’s selection is Bobby Baldwin. He’s one of a kind.

I have played all the games with Bobby, poker in Oklahoma and during the WSOP Championships, gin rummy, 4,5,6, black jack, baccarat-and some Baja Oklahoma poker, a.k.a. Texas hold’em! We also wagered on which cockroach would win a race across a poker table.

I have known Bobby and his family in Tulsa ever since Bobby was a lad.

One time I got lucky and busted him in a home game in Tulsa and Bobby wanted to borrow some money so he could continue to play in the game. One of my rules is I do not loan money and continue to play against money that I have loaned in the game!

I told Bobby, “No, but you can have all my money as soon as I quit playing in this game.”

Now considering that when Steve Wynn sold out to the MGM and Bobby got a golden parachute of a few million dollars, it makes me look a little conservative in my lending practices.

I asked Bobby the other day if he had time to play a little gin. Unfortunately we could not schedule a match. I told him, “Bobby, you are just too busy; slow down and smell the roses.”

Now let me tell you about a hand I played with Bobby during the WSOP Championship.

This was at the $10,000 WSOP championship event. We were playing at the old Binion’s Horseshoe. We were down to two tables with only 16 or 17 players left. I had two queens and bet $400 dollars. He studied me for a while before throwing his hand away and showing me two jacks. He said to, “Johnny, last time we were in a hand you bet me $200 dollars with two jacks. This time you have better than jacks, so take the pot!”

Years ago I would have busted him, but now he knows me and can remember each bet I made. He reads me and most every other player that he plays poker with like a book. He can also read any business associate that he sits down with across the board room table. As soon as he gets a little bit older I will nominate him for membership in The Seniors” WCOP/Poker Players Hall of Fame.

No, I have never asked Bobby for a comp, but I have introduced him to a few bankers who wanted me to get them a tee time out at an exclusive golf course here in Las Vegas.

Tune in next week and meet another of the famous poker players of my lifetime!

Remember to always STAY LUCKY!!

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