Trust, Patience, Perseverance, and Tips

Two years ago after Ohio State University named a new head football coach, Jim Tressel, I was intrigued. A few nights later during an OSU basketball game, he was introduced at halftime. He humbly proclaimed that he was honored to be a part of such a great football tradition. He promised that in 310 days, when the OSU football team traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to play the Michigan Wolverines, the Buckeyes would be prepared.

Elation and jubilation were my first feelings. Now we finally have a coach who understands, I thought to myself. To poker tournament players, all tournaments are important, but the best of the best know that some tournaments are more important than others. I had a feeling that after 30 years of patiently waiting, I would see this coach lead us to the Promised Land. At a game during his first season, I saw several people wearing shirts inscribed with "In Tressel We Trust." I figured that in three years, we would be solidly back in the "Top 10," and five years later would have a chance to win the national championship.

In only his second season, Tressel and the Buckeyes started strong, rolling over their early opponents. But, like catching a rush in the early rounds of a tournament and having a nice feeling about having chips, you haven't won anything yet. As the season progressed, the pressure mounted - comparable to being close to the money. After winning their first 10 games, the Buckeyes were in the money, assured of getting a good bowl berth. After two close wins, they reached the final table, with only Michigan in their way of playing for the national championship.

Buckeye fans have kept therapists in business for years watching John Cooper figure out every conceivable way to lose to Michigan, costing them Big Ten titles and national fame.

Tressel and the Buckeyes defeated Michigan, and were on their way to play the defending champion Miami Hurricanes for the title.

The closest poker comparison to this was the 1989 World Series of Poker championship. Johnny Chan was the two-time defending champion. Larry Coker, the Miami coach, had won 34 consecutive games, was the coach of the defending national champion, and actually hadn't lost as a head coach since 1978. Johnny was facing Phil Hellmuth - confident, cocky, and trusting his game. Phil had a large chip lead when they got heads up. What some people forget is that the reason Phil had the lead was because he took a gamble with A-10 against Don Zewin's 10-10 and Steve Lott's 2-2. It was similar to Tressel's disdaining a field goal try and throwing a fourth-down touchdown pass to beat Purdue. Phil also took a big chance, and was rewarded when an ace hit the board. Phil kept the pressure on when heads up, and won the title. Johnny Chan's unbelievable streak was over.

During the pot-limit Omaha championship at Bellagio a few months ago, Phil Hellmuth, with about 100 players remaining in the tournament, said he was thinking of going to the Fiesta Bowl, and would take me as his guest as a tip if he was successful that day. Fourteen hours later, after a long heads-up battle, T.J. Cloutier outlasted Phil. A man of his word, Phil would make good on his Fiesta Bowl promise.

During the course of talking to Russ Hamilton about some poker business, I asked his opinion on the game. He loved Ohio State. So, after paying my bills, I emptied my piggy bank on Ohio State, getting 12 points. A few hours later, with loose change and some old Downtown Las Vegas casino chips the sportsbooks wouldn't take, Elizabeth and I headed for Phoenix.

Watching the game and the two great teams and coaches was like watching two great poker players battle heads up. They used field position like chip position. Miami took the lead, 7-0, and immediately became more aggressive the next time it got the ball. Ohio State rose to the task and also became more aggressive, and soon faced fourth down within easy field goal range. Tressel gambled with a fake field goal and failed, and you could feel the apprehension spread through the Buckeye faithful. Like true champions, the Hurricanes went for the big play to bury the Bucks. But, the OSU defense again came through with an interception, which they returned deep into Miami territory. A few minutes later, facing fourth down from the 1-yard line, Tressel again took a gamble, and this time it paid off in a touchdown. The game was tied. Miami knew that Ohio State had come to play. On the next play, there was another turnover by Miami, which was followed by an OSU touchdown. "We just smacked them in the mouth," I told Phil. Early in the third quarter, a long pass put OSU on the Miami 4-yard line. The conservative approach would have been to run the ball four times and probably go ahead by two touchdowns, but that riverboat gambler Tressel went for the jugular on first down and OSU threw an interception. Live by the sword, die by the sword. But just like a great poker player, you must overcome your beats and mistakes and keep the pressure on.

As the clock was winding down with Ohio State protecting a 17-14 lead, there were several chances for the Buckeyes to put the game away, but every time that Miami was all in, it won the pot. A Miami field goal as time expired in regulation time made this game the first-ever national championship to be decided in overtime. It was time to raise the stakes and the pressure.

Miami won the first pot and took a 24-17 lead. The Buckeyes were down to their last chip on fourth down, but completed a pass for a first down to stay alive. The next time the Buckeyes were all in, the Hurricanes had the advantage with one to come and going to the river; they looked like the winner. As a Buckeye receiver failed to catch a fourth-down pass in the end zone, a Miami player was flagged with a pass interference penalty, which gave OSU one more chance, and they took advantage of it and tied the game at 24, sending the game into a second overtime. The Buckeyes then took a 31-24 lead, and had the upper hand after knocking Miami's two Heisman Trophy candidates out of the game with injuries. However, champions don't quit, and Miami's quarterback came back into the game. An OSU penalty gave Miami a first-and-goal, and four chances to tie the game. It looked like triple overtime for sure. Shortly thereafter, it was fourth-and-goal, and I said to Phil, "I hope they pass."

"Why?" he asked.

"A legendary Ohio State coach named Woody Hayes, who disdained the pass, always said, 'Three things can happen when you pass the ball, and two of them are bad,'" I replied.

A fourth-down pass ensued, and just as in poker, the percentages held up. The Ohio State Buckeyes were the new, undefeated national champions (14-0). Perseverance, patience, trust in their decisions, and faith in their game paid off. I hope coach Tressel stays on as the football coach at Ohio State for many years; he might be too tough a player in poker tournaments.

I would like to thank Phil Hellmuth for enabling me to experience one of the most unforgettable days of my life. Great tip, Phil.

I would also like to thank Russ Hamilton for confirming my faith in OSU with his handicapping expertise. Great tip, Russ.

Now, here is my tip for 2003. While in Phoenix, I was privileged to preview Phil's new book on poker, Play Like the Pros. This book may actually be as good as Phil believes he is - if that's possible. Andy Glazer (who has overcome the double handicap of being a Michigan graduate and an attorney to become a top-notch poker writer) wrote the introduction for the book.

For poker enthusiasts of all levels who want to enjoy poker more and improve their games, this book is a must for your library, trust me.

Shuffle up and deal!*