In November 2002, I participated in my first WPT (World Poker Tour) tournament held at Lucky Chances Casino in Colma, California. A very interesting fact about Colma is that 90% of the city's former residents are buried in cemeteries surrounding the town. It's always a bit eerie and somewhat strange to drive past the monuments to get to a casino called “Lucky Chances.”
At that time, WPT was still a relatively new tour, so no one expected such a large number of people to show up at this small casino on that Sunday morning. While looking for my table, I saw WPT commentator Shana Hiatt interviewing none other than Phil Hellmuth. Also, wherever you looked, you could see poker professionals.
When I found my seat, the cards were already being dealt. As soon as I sat down, right next to me on my left was Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu. His broad smile signaled a champion who knew he would soon control all the action at the table. After all, Daniel's charismatic personality and winning playing style have brought him fame and millions of dollars. Today, he is probably the most popular poker player in the world.
I realized that this was a great opportunity for me to learn something. And Daniel certainly did not disappoint me. He was looking for action and played almost every hand. I just watched as Daniel won pot after pot. He was winning against everyone at the table, except for one elderly gentleman.
This gray-haired man had never been seen before. His poker style revealed that he didn't have much experience in the game. When he decided to play a hand, he usually just limped in and then called all the way to the river. Occasionally he won, but most often he lost. To everyone's surprise, the only player he consistently beat was Daniel Negreanu.
Four times Daniel Negreanu played heads-up against this gentleman. Each time the action was the same. The old man limped in, Daniel raised, everyone folded except for this gray-haired man. Daniel bet on every street, and his opponent called every time. At showdown, the cards were revealed, and each time Daniel's opponent won with some monstrous combination.
The fifth time they played heads-up, Daniel just checked the river and asked, “Alright, what do you have this time? Another set?” And he was absolutely right when his opponent revealed his set of eights.
A few hands later, I got a pair of pocket tens. Our aforementioned old man was UTG and limped in again. Being in early position, I also limped in. Daniel raised, and we both called.
I admit, I was very nervous playing my first hand against Daniel. Until then, I had never played against a poker professional. I don't know why, but I thought he must have aces.
The flop came with three numbers, all lower than 8. We both checked to Daniel, who bet about half the pot. To my surprise, the old gentleman folded. I had an overpair, but I was very intimidated. I wanted to fold, but I called. The turn was another low number. I checked again, and Daniel immediately bet again. This was definitely not good. Now I really believed he had a pair of aces. If I called this bet, I would have put in almost half of my chips. What should I do?
I sat there thinking for a while. I decided to try to find another ten on the river. I called.
The river was a Q.
I looked at this card sadly, hoping it might change. How could I have tried to catch one of the two remaining tens? The chance is about 24 to 1. I realized I had lost about half of my chips due to a poor decision.
Sadly, in a loser's tone, I said, “Check.”
Daniel sighed lightly. He waited. “Check.”
What? Did I hear that correctly? Daniel checked his winning hand?
I was stunned. I took too long to reveal my hand, so Daniel revealed his A-K. My pocket pair won.
WOW! I beat Daniel Negreanu!
I know it was just one hand, but it was the first time I played against a poker professional. I felt alive. Of course, a little later I was knocked out of the tournament, but when I had to drive back home past those dead people again, all I could think about was that one poker hand.
