Las Vegas, May 10th 2005

Here we go again. After taking a couple of weeks off since the Bellagio, we start all over again at the Mirage Casino here in Vegas. The Professional Poker Tour freeroll begins today with what will probably be less than a full field.

Having just settled here in Vegas, the last two weeks have given me my first real chance of getting used to life as a local. I must admit, its difficult not to love this place. Not far from the airport, this side of town offers every possible amenity at your doorstep. And what can you say about the mountains that surround Vegas? They really should be called the chameleon mountains as they seem to change color at will. A great sight to wake up to!

I have also tried to use this spare time to get fit for the World Series of Poker. Having previously been fit enough to play soccer a while back, I sort of let myself go a little bit. Also, I used to have a great passion for Golf, but that took a back seat to the constant traveling over the last few years. But with having a golf club just down the road, I have no excuses. Having been a low handicapper when I used to play 5 years ago, it didn't take me long to get back into it. I forgot what a joy it was to play this great game. I must thank the Hendonmob's Ram Vaswani for taking the game up and for looking to play at every opportunity when he is here.

Anyway, back to the PPT. As you all know by now, these are my favorite events and I shall be looking to keep my 100% record of making the second day. But the best thing about these events is the amount of material that they have provided for me.

May 11th

It seems that all good things must come to an end. I barely lasted three hours. I have always maintained the less big hands I get, the longer I last in an event. Today proved the point as I lost most of my chips with K-K v 6-6. I guess that with a rag flop - I was lucky that I just called down each bet and din't broke on the hand. I was then re-raised al-in by Barry Greenstien when I had A-A. Barry's 8-8 got there on the river and the chance of any good stories had gone.

May 18th

I played a couple of the other events at the Mirage but without much joy but we did have an interesting situation arise in one of them. In 30 years of playing poker, I doubt if I was the cause of any ..shall we say.. commotion - on the poker table. However, in the $2,000 PLH - that was about to change. At the time, I was going very well when Amir Vahedi took the seat to my right. I knew we would clash sooner or later.

Amir raised UTG and I called, every one else folded. The flop came, A-4-7 rainbow. We both checked. The turn was another Ace. Amir checked and I bet 500. Amir called. The river was a Ten and Amir again checked. At this stage, holding A-J, I seriously thought of checking. I know he could have had a big pair, but he could also have held a better hand. I went against my thoughts and bet 800. Amir re-raised. We all know Amir can makes moves in this spot, but I somehow knew that the had the goods. Again I went against my gut feeling and called. However, it was a crying call. One with the comment that I could only beat a bluff. Amir turned over A-Q and I showed my A-J. Then all hell broke loose.

Amir (who by the way is a very good friend) suggested that I was wrong to make that comment as I had a strong hand. I explained, that they way the hand was played out - I could ONLY beat a bluff. For Amir to raise, he either had me beat or he was bluffing - very simple really. After all, what would he raise me with? K-K, Ace rag? Anyway, just as Amir agreed with me - another player jump in with a remark that I was wrong to make the comment. I asked why and what would he raise with? He suggested that he would have done the same as Amir with A-6, and that‘s why I was wrong to make that comment. The player in question is probably still waiting to make his first final - wonder why?

Anyhow, Amir (with my help) went on to win the event. He is also in the final with me in the $2,500 NLH that starts later today. Obviously, I now have more material for my next article.

Until next time - play well, get lucky and stop making obvious comments that are not obvious to others!

Peter “The Poet” Costa