About 20 years ago back in the UK, when Hold'em was still in it's infancy - PL 7-Card Stud was the game when it came to playing cash. The games in Nottingham at the time became extremely lively as an influx of new faces came to play in the biggest game in town. In truth, it was very easy money as most of these fresh faces had very little idea of how to play the game.
My brother Kim and I had very little choice but to sit at the same table. It as never an ideal situation but what can you do when with all this loose money about? As usual, both Kim and I played with the patience of Angels. After all, it was always a matter of time before this patience paid off for either of us. Suddenly, with barely 30 minutes to go before the Casino was set to close - the biggest pot of the night was brewing up nicely. On fifth street - there seemed to be five major hands developing. I was not involved in the pot - but Kim looks to be on a big draw.
Showing 4s-3s - it looked like the Jh on fifth street was of no help to him. Open Kings now bet the pot and the three players before Kim call. Kim follows suit and happily call the bet - big draw for sure!.
Sixth street is dealt and the big hands get bigger. Kim hit's the 2s for an obvious flush - but I hate his hand in this spot. I am hoping that he does not call the next bet. But with three players to act before him - all hell breaks loose. It seems that the players in seat 2 and 6 are heading for a different kind of showdown. They had been at each other all night! Their constant bickering had finally reached the boiling point - it looked like the table was going to be turned over during the heat of the moment. Suddenly.....Kim stands up and in the sweetest of begging tones calls out "gentlemen... please". You guessed it.....Kim had just made a straight flush! Kim's begging worked and peace was restored. The hand was played out and Kim had one of his biggest wins in Stud!
The end of the night came, but the gentle ribbing for Kim had only just begun! "Gentlemen... please" was now the new catch phrase in Nottingham. Followed by the odd "Not now...now that I have a straight flush!". Fun times...
BTW - during the William Grand Prix event in Cardiff - I heard one the greatest ever statements by a player. This guy was an Internet qualifier in one of the heats. Having just lost most of his stack in the last hand before the break - he tried to assure himself that all was not lost. And in the most sincere of all tones...declared that he...as he put it "had a lot of experience at playing a short-stack". And just as sincerely, added..."it's just that I don't last very long". Priceless!
He was gone immediately after the break - but he did add to his vast experience at playing a short-stack!
Here we again. Having spent the last few months without playing much poker - the Bellagio is set to get under way with a stream of NL events. I will obviously try my best to get a few good results - but the money is not important here ...I NEED MORE MATERIAL!
