NBC National Headsup Championship
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.
