Breakfast at Binion's
(A/K/A Terry-Ann's Excellent Poker Tournament) By Daniel "The Scribe" Olarnick
December 30, 2005, the end of one year in sight, the beginning of another year's emergence: Terry-Ann Volberg and I leave the wonderfully exotic Wynn Resort to meet two-time world champion, Susie Isaacs; WSOP 232 nd place finisher Sarah Casey; Doug "Retired at 50" MacQuown for "Breakfast at Binion's," the Mecca of Hold 'Em Poker Tournaments.
Our trip to downtown Las Vegas starts with a quick taxicab trip. Our driver, a former Army sergeant, makes the trip a pleasant one, talking about the rich Vegas lifestyle that exists in the liveliest city in the world.
I hear, in my own mind, the words from "The Hustler," when he first enters Ames, but in my mind, I have changed the words to fit our setting, "This is Binion's!"
Breakfast at Binion's was simply delightful. The service was excellent, the food above average, the atmosphere exhilarating. However, it was the conversations that held us in awe, as Susie Isaacs recounted infamous poker stories to our table, added by Sarah's wonderful humorous insights, and sprinkled by Doug's tales of his personal bad beats, followed by a harmony of "Nobody Cares," laughter from both Susie and Sarah.
Then Sarah asks Terry-Ann why she isn't entering the Hold 'Em tournament at Binion's. "Err, I'm not really ready," replies Terry-Ann.
"Yes, you are," states Susie, in that authoritative sugar and spice Atlanta voice.
"She's ready," comments Doug, "She saw my three 6's cracked yesterday -"
"Nobody Cares, Doug," we echo as a team.
Sara and Susie give Terry-Ann a quickie course in "Black Jack Poker (You go all in with AA, KK, AK)."
*
We register for the tournament. There are about 100 players competing for this tournament, a $70 buy-in and a $40 rebuy (something I am determined not to be forced into doing) - and, yes, Binion's is everything you would expect it to be: A dark foreboding room (of triumphs and woes), well-lighted poker tables, wall decorations of upturned poker tables, featuring autographs from former and present world champion poker players, the Wall of Champions showing the pictures of every WSOP champion. "This is Binion's," I remind myself, promising to play my best poker to match the moment.
I'll make a long story short: There we were, Sarah, Susie, Doug (and myself) as railbirds and Terry-Ann still in the tournament. She goes "All-In." I hold my breath. She turns over an A-J suited, two other players turn over KK & AQ. The flop comes and - Terry-Ann flops JJA - a soft bright radiant smile crosses her face - she's in poker Valhalla.
As for me, "Well, I had pocket queens, bet all-in and ."
"Nobody cares, Dan," says Doug, Sarah and Susie.
Terry-Ann (now dubbed "The Silent Assassin" by her fellow players) finishes at the third table, outlasting over 70 players. She can't wait to play again.
Yep, "Breakfast at Binion's" was everything you would expect it to be - except for that bad beat - yeah, I know "Nobody Cares!"
|
