Rising Star
By: Amy Calistri

Some people might have been surprised when 25 year old Michael ‘MJ’ Bernstein, wearing his stunning new Bluff Magazine T-shirt, cashed third in the World Poker Open $500 Stud event. The youngest final table participant was up against veteran bracelet winners Maria Stern, Avner ‘Papa’ Levy and Mickey Sisskind. While most offered only long odds on his ultimate performance, I knew Michael had a legitimate shot at the bracelet.

Ironically, Bernstein’s own family has been slow on the uptake to recognize the potential of this young rising star. The Bernsteins currently own the chain of Catch A Rising Star comedy clubs. This nationally known trademark has built a reputation for being able to recognize young talent and launch the careers of some of today’s most popular comedians. But I was afforded a unique view of Michael’s progressing talent back when he was just a blip on the horizon.

Three years ago during the WPO, I found myself in a Stud satellite with the kid. In pre-game chat, I learned that Bernstein, barely out of diapers in casino years, was already a successful cash game player. Within the first few hands, it was obvious the kid was going to be the one to beat. He tore up the table. After he busted his fourth player, even the dealer was calling him ‘The Terminator’. I caught a couple of hands to pull close to even, when we found ourselves heads-up. I had no illusions about my chances; he was a player and I had gotten lucky. When he suggested a chop, the words: ‘you bet your ass!’ couldn’t leave my lips fast enough.

As the week progressed, the kid continued to rip through the satellites and over the last few years he has continued to hone his Stud skills, as well as develop an equally competitive No Limit Hold’em game. In an environment that caters to almost every vice, I never saw Bernstein drink alcohol, smoke a cigarette, or throw so much as a nickel in a slot machine. If he was away from the table, chances were good that he was eating a healthy meal, working out in the gym, or making sure he caught adequate sleep for the next day’s battle. I always got the impression that he was in training with both eyes focused on the prize.

The ultimate prize was to elude him in this event, however. When Bernstein caught trip aces in three-way action on the first big hand of the final table, he had to feel he had a chance at taking a commanding lead in the event, but both of his opponents caught small boats, and Michael was left with a challenging battle. He hung tough to make it to the final three. In his final hand, he got all his chips in against Levy while leading with two pair, only to see Levy catch-up with a larger two, dashing his bracelet dream for the day. But I firmly believe there are more days and dreams ahead for Michael. And this ‘bird’ will continue to enjoy watching his star rising ‘from the rail’.