POKER: UltimateBet Poker Challenge

Poker player and commentator John Vorhaus provides an excellent write-up for what sounds like a great game. But like he says, don't back his tips!


TABLE OF CHAMPIONS -- DON'T BET LIKE I BET!

As you probably know, last weekend saw the Table of Champions playoff for the second season of the UltimateBet Poker Challenge. As you further know, I continued my role as color commentator/enthusiastic cheerleader for the goings-on. What you probably don't know is I also continued my unblemished streak of picking the winner to lose, and the loser to win. Trust me, campers, if you're ever in this tournament, don't catch my eye. Because if I like your chances to win, YOU WILL LOSE!

Just ask Shawn Rice. Just ask any of them. Throughout the entire season, I have shown an unfailing knack for getting it wrong.

Well, this week, I didn't just get it wrong, I got it spectacularly wrong. See, I figured that Tom McPherson, as our internet qualifier, just didn't have a chance. Granted, he bested a field of 2700 to be there, but unlike the others at the table, he hadn't played on television before and he wasn't familiar with the tournament's super fast structure. I figured he'd play tight, get short stacked, then blinded off, and that would be that. I even went so far as to say, (anti)prophetically, "The biggest longshot Louie at Pimlico wouldn't put a fin on this kid's fate tonight."

So what did he do?

He won.

He crushed.

Granted he caught some luck along the way (but nobody wins these things without luck). But he played great generally and finished strong, knocking out both P.J. Nerozzi and Bob Quann on the last hand. Then he got the big check. You know the big check? It's that presentation check that looks so impressive on TV. Annie Duke gave it to him. I'm not sure which is better, getting the big check or getting it from Annie.

No, yeah, probably getting the big check is better. To the tune of $200,000 better.

By the way, it was great to have Annie around to call the action with Mike Goldberg and me. She really classes up a broadcast booth, let me tell you. And I'm no fool. At one point, Goldy asked me how I'd play a certain player's holding (pocket threes, I think it was.) In an unguarded moment, I blurted, "I'd let Annie play them."

Wouldn't that be sweet? To have Annie Duke as your proxy player.

Be that as it may, season two is history. Looking back on the six weeks of competition I have to tell you how fricking impressed I was with the quality of the field. There was a lot of excellent poker and surprisingly few dondo moves. Nor should we be surprised: Ultimatebet players bring it when they come.

And now... season three. It all starts immediately; why, even as we speak, qualifying tournaments are going on. So what are you waiting for? Jump online now and go for a piece of $250,000. Who knows? By this time next week, you could be ten grand richer, and by some time next month, you could be collecting the big check. Just hope and pray that I pick you to lose.

Because then you'll take it for sure.

-jv