Let's Hear It for the Seniors!

About a decade ago, Oklahoma Johnny Hale came up with a plan to prevent the fearless fresh faces, math whizzes, and card-catching youngsters from playing in a poker tournament by starting a "Seniors Only" tournament. To enter, you had to be at least 50 years old. The popularity of it has been such that there is now a Seniors event at many of the major poker championships.

A Seniors Tour for poker? That's right, there are tournaments for us "old geezers," from which the young whippersnappers are shut out. They are for the folks who can't see, can't hear, can't remember, and don't whine about bad beats. They are just happy to be playing.

As the recent World Series of Poker was drawing to a close, I was 0-10 in the tournaments I had played with the young guns. I felt like I was Mike Tyson's sparring partner. Going zippity-doo-dah for this many events at the WSOP means you are stuck about $25,000! Luckily, I had won a few supersatellites to stay afloat.

I was looking forward to getting away from the "Ivey" League and playing in the Seniors tournament. The buy-in for the no-limit hold'em Seniors event at the WSOP was $1,000. This buy-in at the WSOP is the equivalent of a 5-cent Coke. When 394 players ponied up a dime to play, Barbara Enright quipped, "I didn't know this many old folks played poker."

Early on, I played a pot with Dan Alspach. He brought it in for $300, everyone else folded, and I called from the small blind with two jacks. When all babies appeared on the flop, I moved in for my last $900. Dan quickly called and turned over two kings. Ouch! When I saw those kings, I thought I was headed for my afternoon nap (like some seniors tend to take). A jack appeared on fourth street, giving me a set, the drawout, and the pot. I knew how Dan felt, as it seemed that was happening to me daily at the WSOP.

Things went well the rest of the day. At the end of day No. 1, 39 players remained in the competition. I was in second chip position with more than $31,000, more than double the amount of the guy who was in fourth place. It was "so far, so good."

As day No. 2 progressed, I felt good and was playing well. Then, with 11 players remaining, I caught an amazing break. I won a big pot that I shouldn't have won when my opponent checked on the flop and the turn, which allowed me to win the pot at the river. This hand sent us to the final table, and I was the chip leader. It appeared that this could be my day.

A key hand for me came with seven players left. I had about $75,000 and the blinds were $1,500-$3,000 with a $200 ante when I picked up two black aces. I made it $8,000 to go. The small blind (who had about the same amount of chips as I had) called. The flop was J-9-8 with two hearts. He checked, I bet $12,000, and he moved all in. Phew! What now? It was decision time.

My instincts told me he had a hand, not a draw, so I folded. A number of players say they would fold aces in this situation, and some would, but it's easier said than done. I felt good about following my instincts. I felt even better on the break when my opponent told me he had the Q 10, giving him the nut straight. (Seniors tend to share this information.)

With three players left, I won a big pot in a "race" with Dennis Lane. I had A-J and he had two sevens. I was now heads up with Bill Swan, a tough player from Texas. Against Swan, I won all of the little pots and he won the two big ones. In the last hand, I held a 7-5 and was thrilled to see a flop of 7-5-3. We had about the same amount of money. I bet the flop and he called. The 8 appeared on the turn, putting two hearts on the board. I bet and he made a healthy raise. Two pair seems like a big hand here, but my instincts told me I was beat. I wanted to fold, but I didn't follow my instincts. I moved all in and he called.

He had a 9-6 and had made the "nuts" on the turn. I missed my full house at the river and my quest for the bracelet was over. I wasn't that upset about finishing second, as it obviously was a good result, but I was upset with myself for not following my instincts. In golf they say, "Trust your swing." In poker, "trust your instincts." Almost always, I do. I didn't on this occasion, and I paid the price.

Congratulations to Bill Swan, the "king of the old geezers." I love the Seniors Tour!

Take care.