Any poker fans out there? If so, I am sure you are aware of the WPT North American Poker Championship that Fallsview Casino held last week. Being a poker fan myself, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to check out a few of my favorite players in action. 504 players and a $10,000 ticket all in the hopes of being the one to take home the 1.3 million dollar prize.
The final table was exciting. At times long and drawn out but exciting none-the-less considering the cameras, the media and once it was down to heads-up…the cold cash prize sitting on the table. Most of the big guys, those favored to win the tourney were knocked out quite early leaving only Barry Greenstein the only familiar face at the final table. Hopeful spectators stood in line outside the Grand Ballroom, lining up early in the afternoon in hopes of being given 1/100 WPT numbered poker chips which was not only a souvenir but your ticket to be a part of the taping for the WPT final table.
Barry Greenstein paced the hallway, his book “Ace on the River” in hand. This book Barry carries with him to all final tables he plays at. If a player busts him out, he signs the book on the spot and gives it to the player that busted him. It’s Barry’s trademark. He’s a seasoned player, hard to compare him with the two 19 year old players he is up against in the final 6 TV table. He looked calm, stopping to greet the spectators and sign a few autographs. He showed a great deal of class and maturity, whereas his counterparts did not make an appearance until the cameras were rolling. I had to remind myself that those kids playing against him…..they plan on living the dream with the money that is at stake. But Barry…..he donates 100% of his net tournament winnings to children’s charities. He truly loves the game, not the money.
At 3 pm the numbers were being called to seat the spectators, it took almost an hour before everyone was seated. Inside, the set-up was really cool. The final table, surrounded by cameras, multiple TV screens showing promo ads for WPT and Fallsview Casino, 4 widescreen TV’s for spectator views of the action, camera crew everywhere not to mention casino staff and security. Spectators were seated 6 rows deep (the first 2 rows of each side reserved for friends and family of the players) on three sides of the table, the rear view (behind the dealer) being reserved for media.
The camera crew spent the first 20 minutes filming audience applause for editing purposes and then getting acquainted with those in the reserved seating, knowing where to shoot when players are at a showdown. To the right of the table was the cheering squad for Jonathan Little who I was rooting for myself. 19 years old, his face still showing the pimples of puberty but his persona at the table is comparable to the pros. If he’s nervous he doesn’t show it. He’s inexperienced at this level of play but you would have no idea. He’s emotionless at the table and the players have nothing to go on if they are relying on expression to tell his game. Not only that, but he’s from Florida which put him at the top of my fav’s list for this game.
The centre section, facing the table dead on was clearly a Dave Cloutier fan section. A Canadian from Brampton, this was his first WPT tourney and being the closest in geographic nature to Niagara he had the most supporters to cheer him on (although I have to say that in my experience with them for the 12+ hours of taping they were the most annoying, rude, obnoxious people there). I just couldn’t find it in me to root for him even though he was the only Canadian remaining.
To the left of the table sat the friends, family and fans of Scott Clements. He is another of my favorites aside from the fact he is married to a bimbo blonde and has a cocky “found money” attitude. He’s cute though and fun to watch. I was hoping heads-up would be between him and Jonathan and to my liking, so it was. The remaining three players had their fans disbursed throughout the sections, their fan base just a little more low key.
Just past 4pm the Casino shift manager Jason March announced “Shuffle up and deal” and the game had begun. The expected announcer for WPT was not there for some reason and the CSM was left to announce the hands and plays the players made. Behind the dealer and to the right was the stage set for the WPT commentators Mike Sexton and Vincent Van Patten. You can tell Mike is both a poker player and a TV persona as he sat behind the desk staring into the camera for hours on end. Had anyone not known any better you would have sworn he was taken directly from the wax museum atop Clifton Hill and placed there. He moved once or twice during the break to visit the men’s room, other than that he didn’t blink. You could hear him commentating into the camera during play but he was quite stoic.
Vincent did not seem impressed by the slow-playing of the final table. He looked tired and seemed to be having some back trouble although by hour 8 most people in the room seemed to have the same problem. There was another young player, Kofi Farkye at the final table. I was upset he made the money landing 5th place with $218,000, here’s the story with this guy…..
All these poker players are always asked, “What handle do/did you play under when participating in online play?” Kofi, when asked this by CardPlayer staff during an interview declined to answer. Odd considering most players are more than happy to disclose their online usernames. Turns out, while playing the final table event the day prior to the final six taping, it came out that Kofi used to play under the name “redsoxsox” on Pokerstars. Jeff Garza, who was playing at the final table with Kofi recognizes the name as he is a Pokerstars player as well. Turns out Jeff had played an online tourney with “redsoxsox” and noticed what appeared to be some collusion between him and another player. A second $100 buy-in tourney, Jeff noticed the same two players doing the same thing so he reported it to Pokerstars. An investigation led to “redsoxsox” being banned for life, his many online tournament wins in 2006 likely a result of crooked play. Ironic that both anonymous players ended up playing against one another at this final table! Unfortunately Jeff did not get the revenge he was looking for and did not make he final table of 6 for the WPT taping.
I believe it was about 11pm before Barry was knocked out by Dave Cloutier. He autographed his book for Dave, shook hads with the remaining players and quietly left the set. A man of class, without a doubt. Finally, after 3 hours of slow playing their hands Dave was busted out and at about 1:30am we were heads up. The game was paused while the Director and Shift Managers for Fallsview Casino did the taped money presentation, brining just over 1.3 million dollars in 3 briefcases to the table. The money was dumped, the bracelet and trophy placed alongside the neatly wrapped 100 dollar bills and the game was back in action with Clements owning double the chip stack over Little.
On the 14th hand of heads-up play (271 hands total and breaking the record for most WPT final table hand count) Little raised to $180,000 from the button. Clements called. The flop came, both players checked. On the turn Clements checked, Little bet $250,00 which was met by a raise from Clements to $550,000 at which point Little called all-in. Everyone stood, who was it going to be? Clements showed trip five’s and ithout a card to better Little’s hand the WPT title went to Scott Clements. It was a great game, something I thought really neat to be a part of.
Afterwards there were several interviews and then out came the champagne toast with the Casino CSM’s and WPT Producers. Quite a thrill to be there but I have to say, I couldn’t wait to get home in my bed. I think it’s time to quit my job and become a poker player. Let’s face it, no one gets rich working on an hourly wage! I could just imagine what the commentators would have to say about Belle, the escort. The mom of four, still at it, hustling men for money at the poker tables.:rolleyes: Boy would they have a field day with that one.
The one thing this tournament was lacking was entertainment. They need some comic relief in there to break the tension. I think though, if I made it to one of these gigs that I could provide a little more excitement and bring something to the tables that these guys just don’t have……Belle appeal. :cool: It may not be able to be aired on the Family Channel but it just may liven the crowd up a bit, perhaps even get a little "rise" out of Jonathan Little!
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