It’s Poker’s World Series

We’re in Vegas. It’s World Series of Poker time. Neither Helaine nor I, two small time card players, have ever been here for WSOP. This is our year.

Helaine is playing now! She’s around three hours into the Ladies Tournament. Whomever wins will probably be playing another 20 hours over three days!

We went to the WSOP site at the Rio yesterday afternoon. We wanted to scope the place out. It is immense–bigger than I imagined by far.

The large convention center halls have been stuffed with poker tables. The sound of chips clicking–a sound poker players love–is overpowering.

Yesterday’s Event #51: No-Limit Hold’em MONSTER STACK Tournament brought over 7,800 entrants! There were other tournaments already underway. The place was overflowing with players looking for a bracelet and 7-figure payday.

The parking lots were packed. There was a long line at the Men’s Room. It’s was nuts.

We returned this morning to a much more sedate scene. Everything was ready-to-go, but the players were just trickling in.

There’s still time for late registrations, but it looks like there will be under 800 entered–down from last year.

With Helaine playing at Rio I headed to Aria where a smaller 1PM tournament was starting. They had so many entries there were ‘alternates.’ They only play after someone else busts out. I was 38 on the list.

The called my number, I sat down and was dealt two 4s. Potential, but not a winner on its own.

I called a small pre-flop raise and watched A-4-5 come out. That gave me three 4s, most likely the best hand at that stage.

I bet and was called by one player. By the time we were at the River I was All In!

The final board was A-4-5-3-A. I had 444AA, a full house! He had AAAA, four aces.

First hand. Gone. Poker.