I used to be happy to see emails pour in from Card Player readers after my final column (Vol. 34 Issue 3: How I Got Banned For Life From The Golden Nugget.) I’d prefer to thanks all in your nice suggestions, reward, and questions. I used to be additionally joyful to see that 1000’s of readers additionally watched the video complement that includes Las Vegas tremendous host Steve Cyr, who gave some nice tips about learn how to get handled like a excessive curler on a finances.
Since you all appeared to take pleasure in each the column and the video, I believed I’d attempt to one up it with one other true story, this time about my solar run through the 2004 World Series of Poker. When you might be finished studying, take a look at my full, uncensored interview with on line casino host Steve Cyr, who shares nice playing tales that includes names you would possibly acknowledge akin to John Elway, Larry Flynt, and Michael Jordan.
I had booked a room at The Golden Nugget throughout the primary occasion week of the World Series of Poker. At the time I had no concept this journey to The Nugget would play an integral position in them ultimately banning me for extreme successful (see earlier column.) In truth, if The Mirage would have banned me early on for extreme shedding, it may need saved me a minimum of 1,000,000 through the years.
For these of you too younger to have been there, 2004 was a really thrilling yr for poker. Chris Moneymaker was returning to defend his championship win and poker was turning into greater than ever! It was additionally a historic occasion as a result of it was the final yr for the WSOP to be held at Binion’s Horseshoe earlier than it moved over to the Rio.
Shortly after arriving, I ran right into a bunch of my previous pals from the pot-limit sport I used to play in at Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles. It was a enjoyable mixture of gamers, together with poker government Dan Goldman who was working for PokerStars on the time, however is now the Chief Marketing Officer at Virtue Poker. There was additionally Dan’s spouse, poker professional Sharon Goldman, money sport professional Nick DiLeo, these two grinder cats each additionally named Danny, and my good friend Betsy Superfon, who was also called ‘Betsy Superphone’ as a result of she pioneered the 1-900 intercourse hotline trade.
We all frolicked by a bar within the on line casino commenting on the unbelievable power and vibe that was happening in Vegas throughout that point. Antonio Esfandiari stopped by and chatted with us for a bit, Gus Hansen and Jennifer Harman had been enjoying in a high-stakes money sport close by, and everybody appeared thrilled to be there. Eager to get some playing cards within the air, I mentioned my goodbyes after which darted off to the handicapped room I had requested, (as a result of it was closest to the elevators.)
It didn’t take lengthy for me to dump my baggage, splash some water on my face, and head all the way down to the gaming ground. I had deliberate on enjoying poker, however on my manner over to the board I simply couldn’t assist however to take a seat down at a blackjack desk to play a number of fingers. Betsy sat with me to play cheerleader. I began out betting $500 a hand and made it by way of a double deck up a pair grand.
I used to be about to stop when Betsy goaded me by saying, “Houston, you never leave a table when you’re on a heater! Sit your ass back down and play.” Not being one to argue, I took the whole $2000 revenue and guess it on one hand. I figured if I misplaced it, a minimum of Betsy would really feel dangerous and supply to purchase me dinner. But I didn’t lose! Instead, I hit a blackjack, with the supplier pushing me a good looking, white $5,000 flag.
Seeing as how this was the primary time, I had ever been pushed a flag by the supplier, I took it as an indication of fine issues to come back. Without hesitation, I caught to Betsy’s recommendation and determined to play the frenzy. I pressed my guess as much as $5,000. At that time in my life, $5,000 {dollars} was the most important single guess I had ever made.
The supplier gave me two sevens and was exhibiting a 5. I checked out Betsy with a smile and break up the sevens. I now had $10,000 on the desk and had simply doubled what was beforehand the most important single guess I had ever made. As proper out of a dream, the supplier peeled off two fours, giving me an 11 on each fingers!
This hand was getting loopy massive, however I knew I needed to persist with my weapons and get my cash in whereas I had the most effective of it. I needed to double down, however I ran out of money, so I requested the pit boss if they’d wait whereas I went to seize some money from my secure. I used to be being rated for my play, however had but to determine a credit score line. He regarded on the desk, noticed how a lot cash I had on the market and mentioned, “Sure, we’ll wait for you.”
Betsy saved my seat heat as I raced to the room to get my cash. On my manner again I bumped into one other buddy who had simply gotten in from Los Angeles, and after telling him concerning the sweat I used to be at present coping with, he adopted me to the desk to see the end result. By the time I had returned, there was a small crowd gathered round, however they must wait a bit longer whereas the supplier counted out a wrap of $10,000 in c-notes, inserting them on the desk separately. When he was lastly completed, he requested me how I would really like it… and I informed him to simply put two extra flags on the desk.
The second of reality was lastly upon me. I had $20,000 on the desk, nearly my total bankroll for the journey. If I misplaced, I wouldn’t have even had the money readily available to purchase into the primary occasion. The supplier dealt me the double downs, inserting an eight on the primary one and a six on the second. Two frigging rags!
I believed for certain I used to be about to go lifeless ass broke. Then he dealt himself string of child playing cards, lastly busting with 22. I might lastly breathe once more.
I used to be about to rise up and go away and as soon as extra Betsy mentioned, “No, no! Sit your ass down and play your rush like a man!” As tousled because it sounds, it appeared like sage knowledge on the time, so I obliged. Another 45 minutes later, and I used to be up $150,000!
The dangerous factor about successful six figures in Vegas on the primary day of a week-long journey is that there’s a lot of temptation to take care of throughout you. But I wasn’t worrying about it. Instead, I embraced the motion and thought to myself, ‘F**k it. I’m like Richard Dreyfuss. Let it journey!’
That night I made a decision to skip dinner and went throughout the road to Binion’s searching for a money sport. It was like strolling right into a gathering of the members of the Poker Hall of Fame. I might see Amarillo Slim chatting with Doyle Brunson. TJ Cloutier was firmly planted on the craps desk as standard, and Johnny Chan walked proper previous me on his option to the poker site.
I made a decision to comply with him in and get my identify on the board. There had been most likely more money video games at Binion’s that yr than there had been in over 20 years. Anyone who was anybody in poker was there. I bear in mind listening to over the loudspeaker somebody saying, “Sam Grizzle is here, and he’s put out an open challenge. Sam will play anyone any game of poker for any amount they choose!” I simply smiled. The power was electrical.
I sat down at a $10-$20 no-limit money sport and located myself up over $20,000 in about an hour. I cashed out to go purchase into the primary occasion, however then noticed a single desk sit-n-go satellite tv for pc for $1,000. I made a decision to take a shot.
You know the well-known poker saying impressed by Jack Strauss of “a chip and a chair?” Well, that was me about 10 minutes into the sit-n-go. I used to be actually all the way down to my final chip. I tossed it within the pot and stood up prepared to depart, however as a substitute doubled up. Three double ups later, and I used to be again within the chip lead and knocking the final two guys out in the identical hand for the win. I had Ok-Ok they each had Q-Q! I used to be operating so sizzling, I even began entertaining the thought that possibly I might even win the primary occasion.
The dream didn’t final lengthy. I used to be enjoying sharp and operating so sizzling that I might already see myself on the end line, however not even half-hour in, seat 5 pushed all in on me. I used to be within the massive blind and regarded down at two kings, and snap known as. He had Q-Q, however in contrast to the satellite tv for pc, this time my opponent drew out to a straight on the river and busted me earlier than my seat was even heat.
As I used to be shaking fingers with the desk, Phil Hellmuth was simply strolling in to take his seat, asking everybody what number of blinds he had missed. My WSOP dream was over in the meanwhile. So, I did what many have finished after busting out in document time. I started to drink closely!
I began with a Jack and Coke and added a shot at Binion’s earlier than making my manner again to the bar on the Golden Nugget. Three or 4 drinks later, I discovered myself sitting alone on the blackjack desk with my total bankroll in entrance of me. By the lunch break, I had managed to dwindle my $175,000 all the way in which down to simply seven grand! Yes… I had misplaced my rattling thoughts!
That’s when my good friend Betsy wandered by the desk. She was on break and requested how I used to be doing. When she noticed what had occurred, she simply checked out me and mentioned, “Houston, I’m skipping lunch and I’m going to sit here with you until you get it all back!” Betsy should have been carrying a fortunate appeal along with her that yr, as a result of after she sat down, I hit a blackjack. Then one other. Then I pressed my guess as much as the desk max of $15,000 per hand. Before her break was over there was an enormous crowd across the blackjack desk and I used to be up an astonishing $275,000.
Talk a few comeback! My good friend Chris “The Armenian Express” Grigorian even rallied a bunch of poker gamers collectively to assist me money out in $10,000 increments so I didn’t should sweat the W9. I ended up hitching a journey dwelling with a buddy who had cashed in the primary occasion, and purchased my spouse a brand-new Mercedes to commemorate the win.
If solely all my journeys to Las Vegas had been as profitable. Until subsequent time, bear in mind, keep sharp. Stay Kardsharp!
Check out the debut episode of the Stay Sharp Podcast under!
Houston Curtis, founding father of KardSharp.com and creator of Billion Dollar Hollywood Heist has lived a profitable double life as each a producer and excessive stakes poker participant for almost 30 years. His credit embody government producing gambling-related TV exhibits akin to The Ultimate Blackjack Tour on CBS, The Aruba Poker Classic on GSN and pioneering the poker educational DVD style with titles that includes poker legend Phil Hellmuth.
Barred for all times from Las Vegas Golden Nugget for “excessive winning” at blackjack, Houston is without doubt one of the world’s most profitable card mechanics and sleight-of-hand artists of the fashionable period. Curtis, who not often performs in tournaments, gained a 2004 Legends of Poker no-limit maintain’em championship occasion besting Scotty Nguyen heads-up on the ultimate desk earlier than happening to co-found the elite Hollywood poker ring that impressed Aaron Sorkin’s Academy Award-nominated movie Molly’s Game.
Curtis now resides in Columbia, Missouri whereas sustaining workplaces in Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to operating a manufacturing firm and impartial document label, Curtis additionally consults as a poker safety skilled to shoppers throughout the globe searching for perception into grasp degree card dishonest ways by way of superior sleight-of-hand method. In addition, Houston is now accessible for in-person and on-line talking engagements, non-public sleight-of-hand instruction, and quite a lot of media creation/manufacturing providers. Houston may be contacted straight at stacked@kardsharp.com.