My name is Hank Hatton. I'm a freelance journalist headquartered in Las Vegas. My specialty is human interest stories.
It's an indisputable fact that when it comes to gaming, there are more losers than winners in the casinos in Las Vegas. No matter what the game-slots, blackjack, craps or the other gimmick table games, you are playing against the house-and they have the edge.
Except for poker. It's the player against the rest of the table. The casino makes their money from the drop, or a set amount from each hand. Over time the skillful player will be a consistent winner. This is an interview with such a winning poker player. They call him the "Night Hawk."
The interview took place at 1:30 in the morning in his high-rise condo with an impressive view of the Strip. The ground rules were simple. I could not use his real name, reveal where he lives, or discuss his background. What I can say is that he is of average height with a trim body, a full head of dark hair that was graying at the temples and is anywhere between 40 and 50 years old. His voice is soft with a slight British accent. His steel blue eyes, I am sure, are capable of boring into the soul of his opponents across the poker table. Here is that interview.
HH: I understand you only play cash games. Why not tournaments?
NH: They are too much like endurance contests. I'll leave that to the young kids.
HH: What defines a winning poker player?
NH: (Smiling) Winning more than you lose.
HH: Yes, of course. But can you be more specific?
NH: Winning players will double their buy-ins in at least eight of ten sessions. Going with the flow when they are on a rush. Learning to cut losses when the cards turn against them. And exploit the bias of the table at which they are playing.
HH: Please explain what you mean by the "bias" of the table.
NH: Like the roulette player who notices that certain numbers are coming up more frequently than others due to a slight imbalance of the wheel-discovering the bias of a poker table involves analyzing the players during the early stages of the session. Are they weak or strong? Aggressive or passive? Rocks or maniacs? Once you've sorted them out-you can begin to play your game.
HH: And your game is?
NH: Position and patience-(smiles)-combined with excellent play.
HH: That's seems rather basic.
NH: Yes, but few players put it to practice. And there's another element I add to the mix.
HH: And that is?
NH: Keeping in shape. Too much time at the tables dulls and mind and body.
HH: You have a routine?
NH: Yes, I work out in the fitness center here in the building and play golf whenever the weather cooperates.
HH: Lots of the top pros play golf.
NH: Yes, but they take their gamble on to the links. Make all kinds of proposition bets. In some cases the wins and losses are staggering. That's not my style. I use the greens on the links to pull my mind away from the green felt on the tables.
HH: Speaking of style-they call you the Night Hawk because you only play at night. Why is that?
NH: (Leaning back, he steepled his fingers together and took a long moment before answering) I was hoping you wouldn't ask that question.
HH: Isn't it because night play is the real secret to your game?
NH: (Long pause) Yes.
HH: How did you happen to discover it?
NH: By playing golf.
HH: Really? Tell me about it.
NH: I was on a bad run for weeks. Dead cards. Coming in second best with good hands. You know the drill. My confidence at the tables was diminishing with the size of my bankroll. So one afternoon I decided to hit the links to refocus my mind. It was bloody hot but I didn't care. I came home totally wasted and crashed into bed. I logged ten hours of the best sleep I had in months. I was totally energized when I woke up. I wanted some action but the only problem was-it was 2:30 in the morning.
HH: Why was that a problem?
NH: I was used to playing late afternoon and early evenings. I didn't know what kind of action was in the offering that early in the morning.
HH: But you found out.
NH: Indeed. It was at a $40-$80 hold 'em game at the Mirage. There were some recreational players who were trying to get even. Locals who were hanging on with short stacks. A couple of off-duty dealers and cocktail waitresses. And a young gun that was trying to bully the table.
HH: An interesting mix of players.
NH: Indeed. And they had all had one thing in common.
HH: And that was?
NH: They were all playing tired and were making mistakes.
HH: And you took advantage of the situation.
NH: But of course! That was the table's bias-tired players making mistakes. But to take advantage of that kind of situation you must both.
HH: How long did the game last?
NH: Not long. After a little more than an hour I cashed in over six racks and went home a very satisfied poker player with a new game plan. "Enter a game rested against tired players."
HH: Was it difficult to find subsequent games after that?
NH: At first it was-but then I let the games come to me.
HH: How did you manage that?
NH: Who better is aware of the kind of action at the tables than the shift manager? So I made it a point to make arrangements with several of them in the various poker rooms along the Strip to inform me when a seat opens at a table that meets my bias requirements.
HH: How often does that happen?
NH: (shrugs) Three-four times a week.
HH: Does it bother you to be known as a Hawk-a bird of prey?
NH: Not at all. In fact, it enhances my table image. (Ringtone: Beatles, Hard Day's Night.)
NH: Ah! Speak of the devil. My cell phone.
NH: (On the phone) Yes? Are any of the usual suspects present? Good. Place the usual $50 lock on the seat and I'll be there within a half an hour.
HH: Was that a shift manager?
NH: Yes. There seems to be an opening at an interesting table. So I'm afraid our interview is
over.
HH: So it's time for the Hawk to fly into the night.
NH: Exactly!
