The World Series of Poker - 2009

There were masses of poker players and spectators at the Rio as the weekend $1000 event got close to the opening bell. Excitement was in the air. Comparable to a celebrity throwing out the baseball at the beginning of a play-off game, a celebrity always announces, "Shuffle Up and Deal." On Sat. May 30, that celebrity was Jack Binion who's Daddy, Benny Binion was the originator of the WSOP. Jeffrey Pollack, Commissioner of the WSOP did a fine introduction, Binion greeted the audience and shouted, "Shuffle Up and Deal!!" and we were off and running with a sell-out crowd of 6000 players! There will be two day ones with 3000 players each day.
I played my first event at the 2009 WSOP and it wasn't successful. Although 3000 in starting chips is way better than 1000, 1500, and 2000 (which we have been subject to in past years) it isn't enough to suffer one beat. You simply must win that first contested hand or you will be broke or nearly broke. For me, I waited almost two hours for that hand. I picked up pocket 10's in the BB. The bully at the table was two to my right, he could not have been in a worse place for me. He raised my blind, as usual. I thought about how to play this hand and decided to call his raise and see the flop. If it came with paints, I would check and fold, but if the flop was small, I would bet big. Low and behold the flop brought a was J, 3, 10! With my peripheral vision, I saw him make a slight move toward his chips. I bet $700 (pot size bet) in hopes he would raise. Rather, he just called. I hoped he had picked up a piece of the flop. The turn brought a Q. I bet $1000. He hesitated, thought about it and called. The river brought an Ace and I didn't like my set anymore. I checked, he checked. He had a damn 9 in his hand for the idiot end of the straight. I was left with $650. I moved in a few times and picked up the blinds, but I was out within 30 minutes of the carnage.
I went straight to the Satellite Room to discover a long line. I watched a bit and saw that the line was moving right along. I took my place at the end of the line and was delightfully surrounded by Southern accents. One nice fellow was from Bell Buckle, TN and a couple of guys were in from Greensboro, NC. I played two satellites and won both! I now have three tournament chips! (For you laymen, that value is $1500 - $500 per chip.) So, only 17 more to go if I save them for the main event!