Sundance Film (Poker?) Festival - Part II

In Part I of this series in my last column, I discussed being the master of ceremonies of the W Las Vegas Hotel, Casino and Residences poker event that was held at the Sundance Film Festival and playing in its star-studded tournament.



First prize was a $700,000 condo, to be built at the W Vegas Hotel in late 2008.



The event had attracted a huge audience, and the final table included Annie Duke, Chris Masterson, Shannon Elizabeth, Gina Gershon, W Las Vegas Hotel, Casino and Residences founder Reagan Silber (Reagan's nickname is "Reago"), and me. Throughout most of the tournament, I had been paying scant attention to playing poker as I teased all the stars in the room and announced key pots at all five of the tournament tables. For the first three hours of play, I looked at barely 40 percent of my own hands. I mean, I was in Sundance for the microphone, the mingling, and the ambiance, and to watch a few films.

When Duke was eliminated in fourth place, Masterson, Reago, and I remained with a shot at the condo. Immediately after Duke left the table, Masterson and Reago played a huge pot. Reago raised from the small blind with the A 9, and Masterson made a huge reraise with the A 10 from the big blind. Reago then moved all in and Masterson called. Masterson was almost a 3-1 favorite to win with his A 10, but Reago hit a 9 on the 9 4 3 flop. When the K hit on fourth street, there was suddenly hope for Masterson; he had 12 outs (three tens and nine spades) to win the pot. It was not to be. The J on the river secured the pot for Reago. (What a bad beat for Masterson!)



Now, Reago and I were heads up, even though I had very publicly announced (teasingly) earlier in the evening that there was no way that he could win this thing! At this point, I asked Reago to make a deal. Could I cash in my chips for a $300,000 down payment on the W Las Vegas penthouse unit that I had already ordered? That would effectively give him $400,000 and me $300,000. As he considered my offer, it was pointed out to him that there were tax consequences, so we were forced to play for it all. So much for the lighthearted mood I'd felt. As Duke so adeptly kept announcing on the microphone – she had taken over the master of ceremonies role when she was eliminated – first place was a house, and second place was a TV!



Before long, Annie pointed out that I hadn't said a single word in almost 10 minutes. No wonder. The sudden change in pressure – we were now playing heads up for $700,000 – had me in shock, but had heightened my focus and resolve. About 80 grueling minutes later, with the blinds at $3,000-$6,000 and a $1,000 ante, Reago opened for $12,000 from the button. I looked down at the 9 3, and because there was already $20,000 in the pot and it was only $6,000 more to call, I felt I was priced in. So, I called. The flop came down J 4 3, and I moved all in. Reago quickly called, and flipped up pocket queens.



He had me covered, and was a 3.5-1 favorite to win the title and the condo. I thought to myself that it was about time I got lucky in a key pot. And when the A came on the turn to give me a flush draw – I could win with a 3, a 9, or a diamond – I had a strong feeling that I would win the pot, even though I was still more than a 2-1 underdog (14 winners versus 30 losers). Sure enough, the last card was the J to complete my flush! Wow, I had outdrawn someone in a key situation, but I still had a long way to go to turn it into something tangible.



Reago was playing great poker, and really had deserved to win the pot and the title with his pocket queens. But what was he going to do with another condo? After all, he is the founder of the whole project (W Las Vegas Hotel)!



After that hand, I ramped up my aggression, moving all in the very next hand with 6-4 offsuit. Hearing Reago say "I fold" was music to my ears! I moved all in again two hands later with K-2, and he folded again. The next hand, he opened for a minimum raise of $12,000 to go, and again I felt I was priced in with my very weak 3 2, so I called. The flop came 7 6 5, and I moved all in with my big draw (I needed a spade for a flush or a 4 for a straight). Reago, who had flopped two pair with his 7 5, called instantly. Since I had him covered, I would win the tournament if I won the pot. Reago was about a 1.5-1 favorite to win with his two pair. By the way, the 5 was not a winning card for me, since it would fill him up. The turn card was the K, and the river was, shockingly, the 4, to complete my straight!



It was over. I had won my first "tournament" of 2006, although it won't show up in the history-making stats, and it was more or less by accident that I won. Still, I'll take it!