by Sheri Geller
I played my first WSOP circuit event this past January at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. It was a $130 buy-in, one-day, nonring event. Not exactly a major high roller tournament, but the cards had the distinctive World Series logo on them, so I’m counting it as my first WSOP tourney. Unfortunately, it was the senior’s event.
For those of you who do not know, the senior’s event is for the fifty and over crowd. In other words, those who played poker originally with cards and not on a laptop, those who started playing some ten years before this year’s WSOP main event winner was born, and those who consider a full house when the grandkids come over. In my mind, I am still way too young for this event.
Frankly, “senior” is a four letter word to me, which is why each time the tournament director loudly announced “Seniors, your blinds are going up” or “Seniors, you’re on a break,” I cringed. He may as well have been saying, “Seniors, you’re closer to death than the rest of us.” I just wish they had called it the “seasoned event.” And I really wish that the cashier had asked for my ID rather than just quickly glancing at me to ensure compliance with the age restriction. I would gladly have tipped anyone who questioned my chronological qualifications to enter this tournament. But enough about my aging issues. The event—which had over 200 entrants—was a blast. It also gave me the opportunity to make some very studied observations.
In the senior’s event:
• A shaking hand is not necessarily a tell. You should consider the additional options of age and infirmities before leaping to the conclusion that your opponent has a monster hand.
• For many players, easy open water bottles are not. • Phlegm clearing does not violate the “English only” table policy. Neither does mumbling.
• People with head phones are not the only ones who can’t hear the dealer.
• Repeatedly checking hole cards doesn’t necessarily mean your opponent is looking to see if he has a flush draw. He probably just forgot what he had.
• Deep knee bends during a hand are not an affectation. But if the player fails to get back up, call for help.
• Slow playing a hand is not necessarily a strategy.
• Neither is slow rolling. However, eye rolling is, given the years that it takes to perfect it.
• Almost everyone wears glasses, yet the person sitting farthest from the flop will have forgotten theirs.
• If you think a girl at the table is the hottest girl you’ve seen in years, you left your glasses on top of your head.
• Bathroom breaks need to be closer together.
I also noticed that the conversations at the table were very different. I found that, “Where do you play now that FTP and PS have closed down?” was not nearly as popular a topic as, “Where do you get your colonoscopies?” On the plus side, discussions about kids and grandkids were more interesting than having a Red Bull v. Monster Energy drink debate. Still, I couldn’t tell what was more insulting, that a lady at the table was surprised I hadn’t heard of Johnny Ray or that the young dealer was surprised that I had heard of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
All things considered, I am glad I played in the senior’s tournament. But this summer, I will be in the regular tournaments at the Rio. I still would rather talk about Foster the People’s most recent release than the AARP specials of the month.
Shari Geller is an attorney, journalist, reporter, blogger, poker player, and observer of the poker scene. You can write her at BurnThis2@aol.com, and read her blog at www.burnthistoo.blogspot.com
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