Donnie Peters' Twitter thread sparked a train of thought about the time I had my inaugural encounter with the World Series of Poker. Though I shared a tweet in response, there remains an untold portion of the narrative.
Playing poker for a living feels like a distant memory now, but there was a time when it was my main source of income. I managed to earn a decent amount of money through a combination of home games and online poker. Then, in the year 2005, I made a bold decision to try my luck at the renowned World Series of Poker. It was an opportunity to participate in my very first live poker tournament, and I couldn't pass it up.
At that time, I was residing in the outskirts of Atlanta, a suburban haven. The allure of adventure beckoned me, and I swiftly made arrangements to embark on a journey by booking a flight. Serendipitously, fate smiled upon me as I stumbled upon a captivating offer from Total Rewards, granting me the opportunity to experience the magnificence of Rio. This was during a period when Rio was at the pinnacle of its grandeur, radiating an irresistible charm. The cherry on top was the provision of a luxurious hotel room situated within the very premises of the venue itself.
I prefer playing the $1,000 Seven Card Stud 8 or Better variant.
I was deeply engrossed in my home game, which mostly revolved around playing different versions of Omaha. Among the myriad of events in the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP), one particular tournament caught my attention: the $1,000 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo. What set it apart was its affordability, being the only open WSOP tournament that year with a buy-in below $1,500. My familiarity with the game gave me an edge, as I anticipated that many participants would lack the same level of expertise. Little did I know, this was an understatement. In retrospect, I firmly believe that the field was astonishingly weak, with a substantial portion constituting dead money.
At my table, Alan Boston was the only one who truly grasped the intricacies of the game, while two players were novices to stud and another was unfamiliar with hi/lo games. To add to the mix, there were several other players who were not particularly skilled. Positioned to my right, Alan Boston served as a source of amusement for the entire table, keeping us entertained for hours on end.
There is a possibility that I held the highest number of chips at a certain moment.
Dashing across the table, I unintentionally sent a flurry of players flying, with Boston among the casualties. As the commotion settled, I discovered my new playing field to be equally favorable. Within moments, a poker journalist approached, inquiring about my identity and speculating that I held the lead in chips. As the curtains closed on day one, I found myself hovering around the fifth-place position.
During that time period, there were no available applications or convenient methods to ascertain the number of chips. One had to rely on information provided by the media until the conclusion of the day.
I struggled to fall asleep that evening, as visions of claiming the precious bracelet danced in my mind. I found myself in a favorable position to attain it, but fortune was still required.
The second day commences with more challenging seating arrangements.
The second day brought a tougher field, so we made adjustments to the table layout. This time, I found myself sitting with two formidable opponents, Paul Darden and Brad Daugherty. Throughout the day, we also saw the likes of Barry Greenstein and Huck Seed passing by our table. As the competition intensified, my luck with the cards seemed to dwindle a bit. Nevertheless, I managed to stay afloat and hold my own long enough to secure a spot in the prize pool.
As the tournament director, my main objective was to reach the final table. However, the journey was quite exhausting. The challenging part was exacerbated by the fact that the majority of the dealers were inexperienced when it came to dealing stud.
The competition was temporarily halted in order to locate proficient dealers with expertise in stud poker.
When we reached the stage of the tournament with only four tables remaining, an unexpected obstacle forced us to temporarily halt the proceedings. It turned out that there were quite a few significant mistakes made by the dealers, which rendered the situation far from ideal. In an effort to rectify this unfortunate turn of events, the tournament director took it upon himself to scour other ongoing tournaments and cash games in search of experienced dealers who were well-versed in the art of dealing stud. This impromptu quest lasted anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, causing a slight delay in the tournament's progression. It was Men "The Master" Nguyen who spearheaded this initiative, advocating for the urgency of the matter. And his sentiment was shared unanimously among all the players present, as the subpar quality of the dealers was undeniably a cause for concern, especially given the significance of this stage in the tournament.
The performance of the fresh dealers was impressive. I successfully made it to the final two tables, fiercely battling for my survival in the tournament.
After going all in and miraculously pulling a low card to keep myself in the game, I thought luck was finally on my side. Little did I know, a few hands later, a colossal four-way pot emerged, causing my heart to race with excitement. Seizing the opportunity, I eagerly pushed all my chips into the center of the table, hoping for another stroke of fortune. Unfortunately, luck evaded me this time as I missed the low, but to my consolation, I managed to form a decent hand with two pairs, aces up. However, my joy was short-lived when my opponent, Paul Darden, revealed his trips, shattering my dreams of progressing further in the tournament. Disappointed, I found myself eliminated in the 14th position out of the 595 entries. Now, let me share with you the comprehensive results from this riveting event.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of closure, but I didn't waste time pondering the possibilities that lay in the past. My mind was filled with elation as I reveled in the victory of walking away with a substantial $4,875 prize from the poker tournament. Throughout the intense battle that ensued on day two, I managed to hold my ground amidst a formidable array of opponents.
As I wrapped up my job, I received my compensation in the form of chips, which was exactly what I asked for. Eager to receive my payment, I was instructed to head over to the main Rio cage. With a sense of anticipation, I made my way to the designated location. The process turned out to be surprisingly straightforward and hassle-free.
Famous for its vibrant atmosphere, Rio casino is renowned for its festivities.
After a day of intense competition at the tournament, I felt the need to unwind and have some fun. To mark the occasion, I thought it would be fitting to indulge in a drink or two while trying my luck at the craps table. As fortune would have it, I unexpectedly encountered a fellow participant who had also made it to the final table but had concluded his gaming for the day. Sharing a mutual desire for further entertainment, he suggested a game of blackjack at the Rio high limit area. Eagerly accepting the invitation, we made our way to the exclusive section to test our skills and enjoy the thrill of the cards.
I managed to make a decent profit from that situation, enough to warrant asking for another payment. As luck would have it, I never crossed paths with that particular player again, and I highly doubt that he, like myself, had any further success in competing at the World Series of Poker.
Largely withdrawn from the game of poker in recent times
Over the course of the next few years, I decided to try my luck in three additional World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournaments. Unfortunately, my performance was less than stellar as I ended up being eliminated from all three events. However, there was one glimmer of hope amidst the disappointments, as I managed to outlast my opponents and secure a "last longer" victory in one of the tournaments. In addition to my WSOP endeavors, I also participated in several smaller-scale Binion's Classic events, where I achieved moderate success. One notable achievement was securing a second-place finish in the Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo variant. While my tournament winnings may not rival those of the poker legends, according to Hendon Mob, my lifetime live earnings amount to a respectable $8,985.
You know, I've actually reached a point in my life where I've decided to step away from the world of poker. The allure of those lengthy live events just doesn't captivate me anymore. That being said, I might consider participating in a smaller tournament at some point, either this year or down the road. It's just that online poker, especially after its disappointing performance in Nevada, no longer holds any excitement for me. Don't get me wrong though, I totally get why so many people still enjoy and even make money from playing poker.
I wish you a fantastic experience if you're gearing up for the upcoming World Series of Poker or any similar tournament. Perfection is not something that can be guaranteed, but I must say that the organizations behind these events truly excel in their efforts. Assembling such a massive undertaking is no small feat, and it's impossible to have an abundance of exceptional individuals managing every aspect simultaneously. So, my advice to you is to remain patient, show kindness to both the staff and fellow players, and above all, enjoy yourself to the fullest.