Are You Here for Joe Hachem?
I would like to tell you all a little story, the kind that stings right in the heart. There is no pain greater than that of which you are about to hear.
My good friend Kevin O’ Donnell has a very cool sports bar in Phoenix called KO’s. KO’s has poker on Tuesday nights, when they set up about fifteen poker tables and host a free poker tournament.
Joe Hachem (also good friends with Kevin) was going to visit Kevin in Phoenix before the Main Event at Commerce. They wanted me to join them for a few days of downtime before the Main Event; however, I did not want to leave the Commerce in February.
Kevin had advertised that Joe would be at KO’s on Tuesday night for their poker event. At the last minute on Tuesday afternoon, I decided I would take a flight out and meet up with the boys at KO’s.
I show up (they still didn’t know I was coming… I wanted to keep it a surprise) and there are people everywhere. This place is packed. And, of course, being the superstars that they are, Joe and Kevin haven’t arrived yet. I hang out for a bit (still had an hour or so until the tournament started) and saw pictures of Joe EVERYWHERE. Come meet Joe Hachem; Come play with Joe Hachem. Joe Hachem this and Joe Hachem that… I haven’t even seen him yet and I am officially on Joe Hachem overload. (There is really no such thing, of course, ’cause I love him more than just about anyone.)
Eventually, Joe and Kevin show up, we take a few shots, make a huge last-longer bet and start playing poker, baby!
I was squeezing so hard trying to win this last-longer bet, but I finally decided to make a move with the old A-4 and Kevin’s A-Q felted me. That hurt. Oh, but don’t you worry…payback’s a bitch!
After I busted out, I went to the bar for another drink. Sitting on a stool next to me was a rather cute girl with a nearly empty beer mug. I asked her if she would like another beer and she said sure. As we waited for the bartender, she leaned over to me and said, “Do you come here often?” I said, no, not really, I live out of town. The next question hurt. It hurts even to write about it, but I have no choice. She said, “Are you here to see Joe?” Talk about a shot to the heart! With a straight face I looked at her and said, “Yes, of course.” She then asked if I got my picture taken with him! I said yes to that, too. I bought her a beer and I went on my way.
After we all busted, we started doing some gambling of our own. It began with harmless high cards for a hundred bucks, then five hundred, and then somehow the game turned to blackjack. Now, I don’t play blackjack because I like to bet only when I have edge, not when I am giving it up. Kevin and Emad (a good friend of Joe’s from Australia) started betting against me. I told them I would be the house and they could bet whatever their little hearts desired.
Emad ended up winner and Kevin — well, let’s just say he almost signed over the Mercedes pink slip by the end of the night. Now that is a true friend. Invites me to his home, takes me to his bar where he buys every drink, and practically gives me a Benzo! I love you, Uncle Kev!
Antonio
Check out http://myspace.com/ibetyoutv for a sneak preview of Antonio and Phil’s new show, I BET YOU.
