Trip Report
by PubInfoGuy
For those of you who have never attended Atlarge, either because you don't
know much about it, or feel you are too much a "low-roller" to play with some
of the "names" of RGP poker, scroll through this mini-trip report.
I'm Pubinfoguy, self-proclaimed leader of the "Minnow Division" of Atlarge.
That means I'm only recently a regular at the 1-5 stud level, and have most
of my several thousand hours of play at the 1-3 game.
Atlarge VI was my second experience with the group. As a regular at the
Tropicana Poker Club, I had seen these people with Atlarge badges in '99 and
asked what it was about.
So I signed up last year for Atlarge V and my wife and I had a great time,
even though she only attended the banquet and not the tournaments. I was
"allowed" to participate as it was our wedding anniversary weekend and that was
my present.
Naturally, I didn't expect to win anything last year, and I didn't. It was
just a familiarization tour to see if we enjoyed the events.
Now, all you low-limit players, Atlarge draws in some big poker names, but
without the big stakes it takes to compete at big name and costly tournaments.
Hell, the two tourneys, no-limit hold'em and stud, are only $60 each. Even a
Dad paying off college loans up the wazzo can afford that once a year.
But I digress.
I didn't expect to win anything this year, either, but ...heh, heh, heh.
Despite not being much of an experienced hold'em player and only playing
no-limit for the second time in my life, I lasted two hours in the Saturday
tournament. I was the 38th player knocked out in the field, so no disgrace
there, especially since the first poor soul out was gone within four minutes of
the cards being in the air.
Then to the banquet and a pleasant dinner with Nolan Dalla and some other
fine folks. Nolan knows as much about politics as he does about poker and the
NFL., so the conversation was extremely pleasant. Poker Gods are approachable
by us mere mortals! Art Santella, another fine poker writer was in attendance,
although his hair was not.
Sunday moring was the stud event, $300 in play chips to start. Having played
in a few of the $25 toruneys and some of the freerolls, I was familiar with the
structure and have even placed in the money on rare occasions. However, say I,
what chance do I have at Table 6, seat 7, sandwiched between Will Espin,
founder of the Trop Poker Club, to my right, and ICE to my left?
Despite some early setbacks, and a numb feeling that I might be one of the
early ones out, I got good cards at just the right time, several times, and
survived as others fell by the wayside.
One of my mentors, Dr. Alan Schoonmaker, author of "The Psychology of Poker",
told me a few weeks ago ""DAI - Don't Assume Intelligence". So I took a page
out of his book and did some rather dumb things myself.
About mid-way, I was moved when my table broke down, and on the very first
hand a young man (can't remember his name) came blasting into my forced bet. I
had split duces and a hidden ace. Being stuborn and not seeing anything special
out of his hand, I held on for dear life and won the thing with only those
duces vs. his ace high. Go ahead and beat me, but don't try to intimidate me.
The VC couldn't, so you won't either, a philosophy I developed more than 30
years ago in a combat zone far deadlier than a poker table (although I see
similarities).
Anyway, I'm using my short term luck to hang in and am amazed to see folks
like Tiger and Jazbo (who did a wonderful job of organizing) knocked out, along
with Will Espin and even the immortal "Ray Don", Ray Di Donato, profiled in
Card Player this month. It was a pleasure on Saturday to chat with a fellow
Vietnam Vet like you, Ray, and I was fully prepared several times Sunday to be
punched out and give you a hug, but still survived.
So then its down to two tables, and players are dropping. I survive to the
final nine. Talk about "Survivor"! Who will be kicked off the island and out of
the money? It looks like me, cause I'm being anteed and forced bet down low
with only garbage that can't possibly be defended. Then, wham, two guys go
all-in and it's down to the magic eight. A guarantee of 99 clams!
As the final table starts, I yell, "Anybody want to make a deal?" and am
willing to settle for $100. Actually, I believe deal making is bad for
tournament poker and I may expound on that in a later post.
Can you even begin to imagine the thrill of making this particular final
table? Here I am, short chipped and obviously the player from the lowest stakes
ring games, and out-experienced by several miles, but still alive!
When the ultimate winner of the tournamet is wearing a World Series of Poker
cap, and it ain't something he picked up at a flea market, the Minnow has
reached uncharted waters.
Well, that's the greatness of Atlarge. An ordinary player has the ability to
rub elbows and learn from the best at an affordable cost. And these guys, and
girls, may know your main purpose is to build up the prize pool, but they still
are nice about it.
So here I am, and suddenly the first player goes down. A few hands later,
I've got split Jacks and sevens at fourth street against Mordicai's open fours.
I'm all in and turn over as does he. And I'm ahead of his two's and fours ...
until short term luck rolls in his favor at the river when he hits his four.
Still, I place seventh for $132 bucks.
I had told Nolan Dalla Saturday night at the banquet that I was no threat to
his Poker Ratings chart. Gee Nolan, how about a measley half a point or so :).
So if you haven't been to Atlarge yet, I hope this tempts you into siging up
for next year, even if you are a little fish like me. Who knows? You too might
make that astonishing final table.!
Pubinfoguy - Glenn R. Nickerson
