World Poker Tour Celebrity Invitational - Part IV

At the end of my last column, I was faced with a decision of whether or not to call an all-in raise in the small blind with the 9 4 and my last $7,500. The antes were $500 and the blinds were $2,000-$4,000. I would have $30,000 if I called and sucked out, and only $7,500 if I folded. After taking so long that I almost called the clock on myself, I folded.

The very next hand, I picked up A-5 suited and went all in for $7,500. Phil Hellmuth was in the big blind and had plenty of chips; he correctly called $3,500 more without looking. Phil turned up 3-2 offsuit and had a gutshot-straight draw when the board came A-6-5. My heart rate went back down when an ace came on the turn, giving me a full house. (I know that I shouldn't play results, but I'm glad I folded the 9-4 suited hand. At least I'm still in action and now have $20,500.)

I wasn't happy to hear that the antes were increasing to $1,000 with $3,000-$6,000 blinds, but I was determined to give it my best shot. I anted a few hands, and then the player on my right moved all in for about $40,000. He had shown some bluffs earlier, so I quickly called with A-10 offsuit. The flop came A-10-8, followed by a 7 on the turn and a 5 on the river. He had the 7 5, but my two pair triumphed. (Wow, I'm up to $49,000. I'm glad I didn't call with the 9 4 earlier!) Twenty players remained and I still needed to double up to have an average stack.

In the big blind, I picked up Q-J offsuit and Abe Mosseri raised to $16,000. I sensed that he didn't have a great hand, and I called the $10,000 raise. The flop came Q-J-5. I checked, and Abe checked. When a 7 came on the turn, I moved all in for $31,000 and Abe folded. (What a silly bet! I should have bet about $18,000.) On the button, I found Q-10 suited and raised to $20,000. Phil Hellmuth called all in for $19,000 total with a pair of sevens, and when the flop came 10-10-8, I dragged in the chips and found that I had $98,000. (I might really be a contender!)

The new limit was announced: $1,000 ante, $4,000-$8,000 blinds. Soon thereafter, we lost two players at the same time, were down to 17 players, and redrew for seats. My new table consisted of David Grey, Joe Cassidy, John Myung, Lee Watkinson, Sharon Goldman, John Juanda, Carlos Mortensen, and Phil Laak. With $81,000, I was the short stack at my table, and Carlos Mortensen was the leader with about $250,000. I was happy to see A-K suited on the first hand at this table, and raised to $25,000, getting no callers. (Cool, I have reached the $100,000 mark.) In the cutoff seat, I raised all in for $80,000 with K-9 suited, and was called by Phil Laak, who held A-9. (I can't believe he called. I can't believe I made such a stupid play.) When the board came 10-7-6, I had a chance to escape with a split pot if an 8 came, or a win if a king came. I had to laugh when Phil stood up and yelled for an 8, and sure enough, the last card was an 8. (Phew, I got lucky! Now, settle down and play well!)

We were down to about 15 players when the break was called. (If I can just double up, I will have a chance to make the final table. Wow, if I do – who will take my place announcing tomorrow?) It was not to be. The limits were raised to a $2,000 ante and $6,000-$12,000 blinds, and with just $70,000, the shortest stack at the table, I moved all in with a pair of sixes. Unfortunately for me, Phil Laak had a pair of queens, and despite his yelling for a 6, I was gone when the board came 9-5-5-K-9. What a thrill it had been to play with so many of poker's legends, and to have lasted so long and gotten so close. I usually feel bad when I get knocked out of a tournament, but in this case I did not. I guess it was because I had been saved from elimination by getting lucky earlier on numerous hands; plus, at least now I could announce the final table the next day. I love my job!

Thinking back, I have to smile when I recall some of the funny memories from this incredible day, such as trying to explain the Tournament Directors Association rules to some of the novice players, watching the "stars" trying to "act" like real players, watching the players trying to "act" like "stars," and listening to Jennifer Tilly complain about a bad beat after being eliminated. "I'm so sad. I don't want anyone to think I played like a girl," she said.

I hope you enjoyed this series. Writing a column like this is risky, because you expose your bad plays for all to see. I learned a lot from the errors I made, and look forward to my next no-limit hold'em tournament.

Now, let's play poker!

Author's note: In Part II of this series in the May 21, 2004, issue, I inadvertently failed to state that the flop came 8-6-4 in round three when I was in the big blind with 8-3 offsuit in an unraised pot, and bet $600 after the flop, got raised $1,200, and folded. I received several e-mails asking how I could bet 8-3 offsuit, which is a logical question if you don't know what the flop was. Sorry for the omission.

Editor's note: Linda can be reached through her website at www.cardplayercruises.com. She is available to host poker events.