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THE DRAW
When Mike Matusow’s name is called, he’s asked
whom he would like to draw. He points down at Shawn
Sheikan. “Sheiky,” he says excitedly, “I definitely want
to play Sheiky.” When asked if this is so they can
resume the epic battle of words from last year’s World
Series, he replies, “No, it’s because he stinks!”
JAMES WOODS VS. SCOTT FISCHMAN: THE ANECDOTE
James Woods is the king of the showbiz anecdote. While
regaling the crowd with one such tale during his first
round match-up with Scott Fischman, he looks down at his
cards, stops short, and hurriedly hands the mike back to
the emcee, promising to finish the story later. He raises
and Fischman calls. Woods then bets into the flop and
Fischman folds. To the delight of the crowd, Woods turns
over 7-3 offsuit.
Despite such cunning ploys, Woods is the first player
eliminated when his Q-Q fails to hold up against
Fischman’s A-K.
PHIL LAAK VS. GAVIN SMITH: PROBABALISTICITY
Phil is resplendent in his new Bluff hoody. The match is
full of table talk, with Phil holding the chip lead most of the
way. At one point, Phil drops the term “probabilistic” into
the conversation. Gavin immediately complains that Phil is
trying to confuse him by inventing words, and appeals to
the audience to back him up.
Much discussion ensues about whether probabilistic
really is a word. Bluff’s editorial team is skeptical, knowing
that, like many great writers before him – from
Shakespeare to William Burroughs – The Unabomber
likes to take license with the English language: I mean,
the man invented the word “felted.” A quick search on
Dictionary.com vindicates Phil and supplies us with a
definition: “Probabilistic: Of, based on, or affected by
probability, randomness, or chance.”
At one point in the match, Phil makes a large river bet
and Gavin goes into the tank. Phil flashes his cards to the
camera. What he doesn’t realize is that the entire
audience is watching a feed of the camera on the giant
plasma screens located all around the room. Everyone
that is, except Gavin.
What are the chances that everyone in the room but
his opponent saw Phil’s hole cards? Pretty slim, we’d
say – probabilistically speaking, of course.
Gavin is eliminated shortly after, and comes over to complain
that he lost only because he didn’t have full Bluff
Support. He then offers to challenge Phil to a game of Scrabble.
TONY G VS. MIKE CARO: THE VALUE CHECK
Halfway through the match-up, Mike Caro, last to act, makes a straight flush on the river. After Tony G checks,
Mike checks behind him, while holding the stone
cold nuts.
The moment the hands are shown, Tony G explodes.
“That is the worst play I have ever seen in poker!” he
shrieks. We can only imagine that Mike is setting up an
elaborate psychological play. Tony can’t seem to get over it
and continues to rant.
“I’ve never put anyone on tilt by showing him the best
hand before,” Mike remarks wryly. This may be the first
documented “value-check” move. It seems to pay off for the
Mad Genius, as he increases his chip lead and eventually
defeats the excitable Australian.
PAUL PHILLIPS VS. JENNIFER TILLY: IMPERSONATING
THE UNABOMBER
On the day of the tournament, Paul Philips writes in his
blog: “I drew Jennifer Tilly in the first round. That means
I’m guaranteed TV time and ‘supposed’ to win […] She’s
very sweet, but please everyone, pray on my behalf.”
“Honey,” Jennifer Tilly calls out to Phil Laak, leaning over
the back of her chair. “He’s beating me, but I made a good
lay down!”
“I’m doubling up on you,” she says, turning to Paul.
“You’re going down!” In response, Phillips pulls out a grey
hooded sweatshirt and begins doing his best Unabomber
impression, shadowboxing and doing push-ups.
Jennifer is eliminated shortly after…
JOSH ARIEH VS. ELI ELEZRA – THE NUTS
On a 7-6-5 board, Eli Elezra moves all-in and Josh Arieh
quickly calls. Arieh turned over 9. 8. for the nut straight,
leaving Elezra’s Q. Q. in big trouble. The J. seals the
deal, and pushes Arieh up to a stack of 77k.
When we ask Josh how he feels about the intimidating
prospect of his next match-up, in which he will face either
Chip Reese or Jesus Ferguson, he says, “Well, if I flop the
nuts on one of those guys, I’ll fuckin’ bust them, too.”
We love a straight-talker.
SUCKOUTS FROM HELL:
There’s nothing like heads-up play for those toe-curling
miracle outdraws. Here are a few of our favorites:
On an 8-high board, Annie Duke moves all-in, and is
called by Mike Sexton. Annie holds 8-7, while Sexton holds
J-6 for middle pair, leaving him in need of some help. The
6. hits the turn, and the case 6 hits the river, to give
Sexton quads and send a disbelieving Annie to the rail.
Dee Luong gets all-in before the flop, and Scott
Fischman, who has her covered, makes a quick call.
Fischman turns over 7. 7., and Luong shows A. T.. The
flop comes A. J. 5. to put Luong ahead. The turn is the
6., and Fishman only has two outs left. The river is the
miracle 7., eliminating Dee Luong from the competition.
Ted Forrest needs a miracle when he goes all-in
before the flop with A. T., and Ernie Durack turns
over A. A. – again! The flop comes Q. 4. 3., giving
Forrest a backdoor flush draw. The turn is the 2.,
giving Forrest the chance to split the pot with a 5. The
river is the miracle 5., and Ted Forrest is still alive.
CHAMP GOES DOWN IN FLAMES:
Defending champion Phil Hellmuth has a tough first
round match-up against Chip Reese, but fights tooth
and claw in one of the longest match-ups of the round.
Finally Hellmuth is all-in before the flop with Q-9,
against Chip Reese’s T-T. The flop brings a set for
Reese and Hellmuth is in big trouble. The turn card is
the 5., and Hellmuth heads to the rail; unfortunately
for the cameras, there’s no tantrum in sight.
MASTER VS. PUPIL
Day 2 saw a match-up with Star Wars-like overtones –
the much-anticipated battle between master and pupil,
Barry Greenstein and Tuan Lee.
“I think he's the best heads-up player in the field,”
Tuan tells us. “So if I win, that's great; but if I lose,
there's no shame."
The match is over in a few hands. Greenstein raises
to 1,200, Le re-raises to 3,200, and Greenstein
calls. The flop is 10-7-5 with two diamonds, Le bets
4k, Greenstein moves all-in, and Le makes the call. Le
shows 7. 6., Greenstein shows J. 8.. The turn card
brings the 9., sending the Master through to the
third round.
SHEIKY'S BIG BLUFF
With a board reading A-7-6-5-3 with three clubs, Sean
Sheikhan has moved all-in. Daniel Negreanu stands
up and walks around the table, obviously frustrated,
before returning to his seat to make a decision. He
finally exposes his cards, 7-4 for a straight, and says
he thinks he's beaten. Sheikhan shows the K. and
mucks his second card as he scoops in the pot. It's
enough to bring Sheikhan back even with Negreanu.
MARATHON MATCH
On the final day, Ted Forrest and Sammy Farha go at
it for over three hours. Both players survive multiple
all-ins. Forrest finally emerges victorious. This is
going to be great on TV.
FERGUSON VS. FORREST - THE FINALE
You guys will to have to wait for this one. Coverage
begins April 16th and culminates with Ferguson vs.
Forrest on Sunday, May 21st, at 12pm EST.
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