Reflections and Prose

I have, on many occasions, raved about the Reno area and how much I enjoy playing the tournaments that are held there. I have also commented on how nice the players and the tournament staffs are. After my three-week stay at the Reno Hilton in January, I can only say that nothing has changed. Everyone was as pleasant and friendly as always, making it a wonderful place to play.

It was no secret that the Reno tournament, the World Poker Challenge, was up against the World Poker Open in Tunica, Mississippi. The tournaments at this year's Reno Hilton were down in numbers from last year, but with the exception of some of the bigger events, most of the tournaments were well-attended. I, like many others, wondered what the Reno Hilton's reaction would be after the conclusion of both tournaments. I wanted to hear it straight from the horse's mouth, so I called my friend Mike Gainey, the poker room manager at the Reno Hilton. Mike was as gracious as ever, and said he would be happy to talk about any aspect of the tournament.

Mike first asked me to send his congratulations to the World Poker Open in Tunica for its great turnout. He went on to say that even though the numbers were down in the tournaments at the WPC, the side action was very good and the Hilton management was more than satisfied with the outcome.

He told me they definitely will have a January tournament next year, which will probably be two weeks long and will have buy-ins in the $200 to $300 range. The championship will be a $1,000 or $1,500 buy-in event.

He said they will also introduce a new element – a best all-around player award, which will be a vintage car.

Mike went on to add that next year's WPC tournament will not be held in January. The Reno Hilton, he said, is still committed to the tournament, and has tentatively scheduled the WPC tournament for March or April. He thought this would benefit the entire poker community, allowing the big-name players who might not come in January the opportunity to be able to enjoy the Reno venue in March or April. He concluded our conversation by asking me to thank everyone who came to Reno in January and participated in the tournaments.

One of the added benefits of winning a tournament at the Reno Hilton is that you are invited back the next year to host the tournament that you won the previous year. You are also given a free room for the entire tournament.

A good friend of mine from Kansas City, "Quiet Steve" Hohn, won one of the Omaha tournaments in 2001 and was therefore the host for one of this year's tournaments. Steve was given the microphone to give his obligatory greeting to the Omaha participants. He surprised everyone by not giving a speech. Instead, he read a poem that he had prepared. He received a rousing ovation, and I thought it was so artfully done that I would like to share it with you. You will especially enjoy it if you are one of the many Omaha eight-or-better junkies. Here it is:

Ode to Omaha (8)

About Omaha all you can say,

it's one rough game for anyone to play.

Three on the board, two in the hand -

sounds like a nightmare from lala land.

You sit on fourth street, the nuts against a one-

card out,

and here it comes on the river, there is no doubt.

You lay your cards down without getting too hot,

help me out dealer, what the hell do I got?

Don't blame the dealer, throw cards, or curse

heaven,

and then start playing every 10-9-8-7.

Just calm yourself down and purr,

what a great play! Nice hand, sir!

And after busting out in the tournament at Reno,

let's all find a better gamble, you know, some-

thing like keno.

Here we are at the start all full of hope and zeal -

on your mark, get ready, dealers shuffle up and

deal!

Lastly, I want to mention a couple more of my friends from Kansas City, Vic and Anna Sirna. They were married in Las Vegas on Jan. 4. After a few days in Vegas, they came to Reno and spent several days enjoying the tournaments and the side action. Congratulations, Vic and Anna – I wish all the best for two nice people.

For what it's worth …