Interesting Times at Bellagio - Part II

In Part I, we left Bellagio after four days of the Five-Diamond World Poker Classic II championship event. The 376 players who had entered and paid $15,300 (or gained entry through satellites) had been trimmed to six.

Noting the relative chip counts and the positions of the finalists, I pondered what might take place when they vied for the $1,795,000 first-place prize. Would we see a cakewalk or a comeback? Would Negreanu attempt to use his big stack to bully his opponents? Would one of them play back at him in an attempt to double through early?

Scouting Report

Brianna

Brianna (serving with a smile): Serves from your right, writes right, great memory, excellent personality

Rassi (Seat No. 1): During day four, I watched the former coin shop owner move all in more than the other five players combined. I believe Steve will continue to avoid strategizing through the final three streets against this tough field. He is at a disadvantage of playing to the immediate right of Negreanu and Daniel's mountain of checks.

Negreanu (Seat No. 2): Most who read Card Player or watch televised tournaments are familiar with Daniel's style. He likes to see flops, is difficult to put on a hand, is willing to take big risks, and is gregarious at the table. I believe his greatest strengths may be improvisation and situational adaptation. He is terrific at deciphering a player's motives and countering. I look for him to apply pressure when he believes he can, so instead of limping with his marginal hands, he may raise more than usual before the flop today. I believe he will tread lightly against Harman, because Jennifer showed a willingness to reraise him during day four.

Landrum (Seat No. 3): I enjoy watching this likeable, fun-loving player. I'm sure you will be entertained by Vinny when this event airs on the Travel Channel in March or April. Landrum doesn't give away much in body language, his betting patterns are difficult to categorize, and he will make big calls. Vinny has good relative position and starts in second chip position.

Brenes (Seat No. 4): Humberto, a professional player and business owner who is affectionately known as "El Loco," is an affable, low-key player with a strong tournament record that includes two World Series of Poker (WSOP) victories. He has competed twice at World Poker Tour (WPT) final tables and will be comfortable under the lights. I look for the Costa Rican resident to take advantage of any players who are trying to move up the prize pool ladder by staying away from the action. He will test their gumption by attempting to steal their blinds, and will reraise them before the flop.

Le (Seat No. 5): Nam is new to me, but he appears to have great poker genes. His brother Tuan Le emerged from a field of 674 players to walk away with the trophy and $1,549,588 in the main event of the 2004 World Poker Finals at Foxwoods. After playing with him during this event, Negreanu offered an opinion: "Nam Le is an awesome player."

Harman (Seat No. 6): On day four, I watched Jennifer play back at Daniel three or four times when she believed he was using his stack as a weapon. Her decisions were rewarded. She is a well-respected high-stakes cash player who has logged thousands of hours against the best players in the world. Jennifer will not be intimidated and is not a stranger to WPT cameras. In a bit of a twist, she will not intimidate her opponents, because she is quiet, polite, and friendly at the table – as she takes your chips.

From an overall perspective, these six players were in the same relative positions during play on day four. They competed sevenhanded for several hours, with Hasan Habib battling between Rassi and Negreanu. Thus, not only are the combatants familiar with each other, they are aware of how each plays in these positions.

In a prearranged final-table structure based on the number of entrants, we begin with $20,000-$40,000 blinds and $5,000 antes. Since relative chip-stack sizes and the comparative amounts of the blinds/antes are important considerations in formulating no-limit hold'em strategy, we should analyze some relevant numbers. At this level, the six players are competing for a total of $90,000 in blinds and antes as each hand begins. That amount represents less than 1 percent of the chips in play ($11,280,000). These are "comfortable" playing conditions (there's no need to move all in or call such a bet with 4-4 or K-9).

Another factor that players incorporate into their decisions is how many chips they have in relation to the blinds and antes. The shorter their stack, the more quickly they must make a stand. Our shortest stack is Brenes. At this level, Humberto almost assuredly feels a sense of urgency, but need not commit to a weak hand. Although he would not want to, he can fold more than 30 consecutive hands without going broke (assuming no other player is eliminated). The chips will move around, and we will see players make decisions based on many things; one will be their stack size relative to the blinds.

Jack McClelland and Thang O

After Thang O. takes care of the administrative responsibilities, Jack McClelland introduces the competitors. The cards are sent airborne at 5:20 p.m. The last hand will be played just before 9 p.m.

The brevity of this final table allows me to squeeze in an opinion. I believe one of the strongest areas in poker is tournament direction. I have watched (from close range) these unsung professionals over the years. They must possess great work ethic, have the ability to diffuse potentially ugly situations, and be able to interpret and impose the varied rules used throughout tournament land. The latter can be challenging, since poker has no instant replay system. Tournament directors must rely on their dealers' version of what happened (along with the involved players volunteering a "voice-over" to argue their cases).

Directing tournaments involves working long hours, maintaining a level disposition, remaining impartial, and knowing how to resolve the stickiest of situations when big prize money may ride on a close decision or penalty enforcement. The efforts of our tournament directors and their subordinates are appreciated.

Lights, Camera, Action

Hand No. 1: We see action as the starting gate opens. Harman raises to $120,000 from under the gun (first to act). Everyone folds to Le, who decides to defend his big blind. The flop is K 4 4. Both players check. The dealer burns a card and turns the 7. Nam thinks for 40 seconds and bets $90,000. Jennifer considers this "smallish" bet for 27 seconds and folds.

Hand No. 3: After picking up the second hand with a raise to $120,000, Brenes raises a like amount from the cutoff seat (one right of the button seat). After two folds, Rassi moves all in. Humberto chooses to let his hand go.

Hand No. 4: Again, Brenes raises to $120,000. I believe he has a good hand, since Humberto is aware that the more frequently he raises, the more his opponents will want to look him up. He wins uncontested. Nam Le picks up the next pot with a raise to $90,000.

Hand No. 6: Humberto, now in the big blind, is the beneficiary of a walkover (this occurs when no opponent chooses to call the big blind amount). After one round, only Le and Brenes have taken pots.

Hand No. 7: Negreanu enters his first pot and scores with a raise from the cutoff seat. Daniel may have decided to muck marginal hands for a round and determine how Landrum, Le, and Rassi are reacting to the lights and cameras.

Hand No. 8: Negreanu tries for a repeat performance, but Harman objects. She motions all in from her big blind position and counts her chips. The raise is $535,000. Daniel mucks his hand.

Nam Le

Hand No. 10: Landrum enters the fray with a raise to $100,000. Brenes mucks, but Le looks game. Nam's right hand protects his cards while his left hand works his chips. He counts out $275,000 and pushes them forward. After the others fold, Vinny begins smiling and counting. The animated player is trying to get a read on Le by talking to him. Nam sits motionless. Vinny laughs at his failure to evoke a response. He claps his hands playfully. Finally, he asks Le a direct question: "Should I call you?" Le immediately responds, "Yes, call me." I'm surprised Le spoke. Vinny, armed with more information, folds.

Hand No. 12: Sitting in the cutoff seat, Rassi is faced with a decision after Harman raises to $120,000. Based on his play during day four, I presume Steve will move in or let the hand go. He motions all in. He has slightly more than $1 million in chips. When it becomes her turn, Jennifer quickly pitches her cards. Steve announces he had big slick (poker parlance for A-K). He is second to act in the next hand and moves in again after Harman folds. He wins without a fight.

Humberto Brenes

Hand No. 14: As the dealer shuffles, Negreanu good-naturedly asks Rassi if it's time to play poker. I'm surprised. The "question/suggestion" infers that Steve's tactics may be bothering Daniel, who clearly wants a chance to outplay Steve on the flop, turn, and river. I'm also surprised when Steve complies. He limps in for $40,000 from under the gun. After Daniel and Vinny fold, Humberto calls. The two blinds come in and the four players view a flop of 9 7 6. After three checks, Humberto moves $80,000 forward. Nam takes 63 seconds to ponder his options and raises to $200,000. After two folds, Humberto peers at the boardcards through the space between the top of his glasses (they are pushed down to the bridge of his nose) and bottom of his sun visor. He rises from his chair, moves back, and makes an exaggerated forward motion with both hands. The crowd roars in approval at this display of showmanship. Le takes only 15 seconds to call the $300,000. He reveals the Q 8, a straight-flush draw. Brenes shows the J 10, a flopped flush. Le has only one out, but the 5 fails to appear.

Hand No. 15: Negreanu raises to $120,000. Le calls from the button. Harman reraises all in for another $490,000. Daniel folds and Nam begins to think. Let's think along with the Huntington Beach resident. Jennifer is out of position and up against two opponents who have shown strength. She has ameliorated her position problem by moving in. But, she faces elimination if either player calls. She realizes there is a good chance that she may be called, because Daniel can well afford to risk $490,000 (less than 10 percent of his chips) and Nam, already invested slightly, will get decent pot odds if Daniel decides to fold. Thus, we shouldn't put Jennifer on a move (weak hand). In my opinion, her most likely holdings are Q-Q or A-K. Why not A-A? Although A-A plays better heads up than threehanded, Harman possesses gamble, and I believe she would have risked playing the best starting hand more slowly and out of position, hoping to double or triple through. Why not K-K? That's a possibility, but I believe Q-Q is more likely because it needs more protection. Why not J-J or 10-10? Jennifer would probably fold those hands and look for a better spot to push in. After some suspense, Le mucks his cards. Alas, Jennifer does not comply with the audience, whose many members implore, "Show us!"

Hand No. 22: Negreanu and Brenes hook up in a pivotal hand. Humberto raises to $120,000 before the flop. Daniel defends his blind. Both check the flop of J 6 3. Daniel leads $200,000 when the 3 turns. He also bets $350,000 on the river (4). Humberto calls both bets. El Loco's 9 8 flush takes down Daniel's A-J.

Hand No. 28: We have been playing $30,000-$60,000 for two hands. Landrum raises $150,000 from under the gun. Le considers his options for nearly two minutes, and moves all in for an additional $210,000 with K-Q. Vinny, now pot-committed, sheepishly calls and tables K-J (a holding that rates to overhaul K-Q about once in four tries). The crowd roars as Vinny catches a jack on the flop and eliminates the handsome Le.

Steve Rassi

Hand No. 31: Rassi moves in with $720,000 from first position. Jennifer, in the big blind, seems interested. She says, "I think I have you beat." She hesitates, adds "maybe," and smiles. The Las Vegas resident now stands and counts her chips with her right hand. Her left hand is on her left hip. She now places both hands on her hips as she chews her gum and studies her opponent. The crowd erupts as she finally calls (Jen is the crowd favorite). Her fans are not happy to see the A Q, a holding that is nearly 2-to-1 to fall to Steve's pocket queens. Jennifer faces elimination since she has only $670,000 (including her blind money). However, to the delight of the crowd, the A falls on the flop. Harman doubles up. A hand later, Rassi (holding a dominated Q-5) is sent to the rail by Negreanu's A-Q.

Jennifer Harman

Hand No. 61: Faced with escalating blinds every 90 minutes (we have been playing $50,000-$100,000 with $10,000 antes for the previous 14 hands), Landrum raises all in from under the gun. Harman calls all in from the small blind with the A 7. Vinny flips over the 3 3. His baby pair prevails when a third 3 appears on the turn. Harman hugs are exchanged and we're down to three.

Hand No. 68: Daniel has been relentless, possibly sensing his huge chip lead may inspire his opponents to fold marginal hands and play for the difference between finishing second and third ($460,624). After winning the last three pots, the 30-year-old star takes a hand off to watch a battle between his opponents. Brenes, slightly outchipped by Landrum, quickly moves his $1.3 million into the pot. Vinny, almost as rapidly, indicates he will play. It's Humberto who holds pocket threes this time. Vinny's A-Q is suited in clubs. The Costa Rican sensation flops a set, but the turn brings Vinny a backdoor flush possibility. The J on the river snuffs the Californian's hope. A hand later, Vinny risks his final chips and succumbs to Negreanu's straight.

Hand No. 70: By my count, Daniel leads Humberto $8,980,000 to $2,300,000 as we begin heads-up play. Humberto has the small blind and button. He flips in two $25,000 chips and Daniel motions to see the flop. Humberto studies the 9 8 2 and sends $200,000 toward the middle of the table. Daniel has no interest. They split the next four hands, with Daniel winning the only clash that reaches the flop.

Hand No. 75: Negreanu raises to $250,000 before the flop and quickly bets $250,000 after the flop. Less than two seconds later, Humberto relinquishes his cards. In the next hand, our leader runs his winning streak to three hands and takes down a $2.1 million pot when he catches quad fives.

Hand No. 77: We have reached a new level; the blinds are now $80,000-$160,000 and each player must post a $15,000 ante. Daniel decides to move in preflop with Q-J. Humberto picks up a great hand to contend with, two red queens. He should win almost 89 percent of the time. Although Daniel catches a jack on the flop, he drops this $1.78 million hand.

Hand No. 78: Brenes calls. Negreanu nods to the dealer. The combatants inspect a flop of Q 2 2. Humberto checks. Daniel attempts to pick up the pot with a $160,000 bet, but Humberto quickly raises another $160,000. There is some confusion as to whether Brenes intended to raise. I believe he placed $300,000 in the pot, thus he will be compelled to raise the minimum amount of $160,000. McClelland makes that ruling. Humberto may have something up his sleeve, because after Daniel reraises another $300,000, Humberto motions all in immediately and leaves the scene. Daniel refuses to be deprived of a chance to read the big man, so he darts after Brenes. He finds Humberto chatting with some fans in the front row. When they return to the table, they are informed that the last raise was $935,000. Negreanu is noticeably struggling with this decision and tries to get his opponent to talk. He tells Brenes, "I think you have a queen." Brenes responds with a simple, "No." Daniel isn't buying that. He states emphatically, "I know what you have; you've got a queen." Finally, the Canadian folds and Brenes reveals A-K, a great bluff (which may have been the best hand).

Daniel Negreanu

Hand No. 81: On the 12th hand of heads-up play, sitting behind $3.5 million in chips, Humberto limps in. Daniel checks from the button. The competitors examine a baby-card flop of 7 4 3. Humberto looks down at his checks and decides to risk $400,000. Within a few seconds, Daniel raises to $1 million, Humberto declares all in, and Daniel calls the additional $2.27 million. We have a $7 million pot and a possible outcome to this tournament. Daniel shows the K 7. Humberto trails with the 8 7. The turn is the 6. This adds four more outs to Brenes' chances (he makes a straight with a 5). He ignores his straight chance and pleads, "Ocho, ocho!" But, the 3 sails down the river to end the tournament. One of the first things I was taught about Texas hold'em was that it pays to play big kickers. Negreanu closes the Five-Diamond World Poker Classic with a big kicker.

Negreanu's sensational year now includes capturing a bracelet for limit hold'em at the WSOP, being honored with the best player award at the WSOP, conquering the field during the Championship Poker at the Plaza tournament, prevailing in Card Player's Player of the Year (POY) tournament standings, winning two WPT tournaments, and securing the top rung as the WPT's all-time money leader with $3.7 million.

Will success spoil Negreanu? Daniel is grounded and realistic about how well things fell in place for him this year. He is also aware of how difficult it will be to make WPT and WSOP final tables in the future, based on the accelerating number of entrants and improving caliber of play.

Duplicating a year such as Negreanu put together in 2004 will be challenging, to say the least. Curiously, this very fact may work in his favor, since he seems to be driven by arduous tasks. Complacency will be his enemy and inspiration his friend. In Daniel's words, "I am not at my best unless it is a high-pressure situation and there is a lot riding on the outcome. If I don't challenge myself at the highest levels, I simply can't be at my best."