Poker Pickin's

Omaha Hi-Low is poker for psychotics. These players never know where they are, or where they're going, or how they're going to get there. What's more, they don't care who they hurt along the way! Some well-known poker columnists consider it an absurd game. One wrote, "Omaha Split players are the bungee jumpers of Poker".

Nevertheless, as ridiculous as it is, Omaha Hi-Lo is a most difficult game; possibilities, probabilities, odds 'n ends come in multiples. It's the age-old battle between the little and the large, the puny and the powerful.

The game has been around about 20 years. Tacoma/Seattle players Bernie Salter and Gwen Pham ("The Dragon Lady"), are credited (blamed?) with the game's creation. They called it "9-card Hold'em". But as the game began to spread (like a virus), it became known as "Omaha" to distinguish it from Texas (7-card) Hold'em.

* * * Mike Sexton, founder of the World Poker Tour (WPT) has done more to unleash the power of poker and the drama of the game than any individual. A great poker player, Mike is an even better businessman.

Mike's brother Tom Sexton was in Reno recently for the Peppermill "Spring Poker Tournament". Tom drove a cab in Las Vegas until his brother Mike got the first big check from his successful investments. The check was well over $10 million dollars!

"Mike called me on the phone," Tom recalled, "He just said, 'Park the cab!' It's been parked ever since." * * *

Among the true super stars of the game (sometimes a shooting star) is Phil Hellmuth. In 1989, at the age of 24, he became the youngest player in history to win the World Series of Poker Championship.

Writing of his accomplishment, this columnist reported that young Phil "arrived at Binion's on a skateboard" and "was the only player who had to show his I.D." Today, Phil would probably find it more humorous than he did back then. * * *

Speaking of the WSOP, Mark Mitchell is owns two of north Seattle's action attractions. One is the Drift-On-Inn Roadhouse & Casino, for many years it's been one of the premier poker properties in the Northwest. About a year ago, Mark opened a stunning new club in which he invested heavily to create an exquisite "Movies & Stars" theme. It's become one of Seattle's places to see and be seen.

Mark grew-up in Hollywood, CA. His father was a member of the press and took him to countless movie press conferences with the Kings & Queens of film. Consequently, he acquired one of the greatest private collections of movie memorabilia and rare autographs. Today, they're professionally displayed throughout his fine new dining, entertainment and casino gaming club.

Mark's a player and both his casinos feature poker. He often plays several events in the WSOP. In 1985, he won the Ace-5 Draw event for $63,500 (a lot of money then). He's cashed at least a half-dozen times over the years. Last year he was 19th in the Pot-Limit Omaha contest for a small bundle. So, if you're sleepless in Seattle, or just feeling floppy, go see Mark. He's got a game that'll cure ya'.
* * *

A well known Lady of the Cloth, Marie Gabert, poker manager of the Red Dog Poker Room, in Carson City, NV, supplemented her income at the recent Peppermill Spring Tournament.
Marie is a player. Twice she's won "Best All Round Player" at annual Peppermill tournaments.