Stu Plays a Hand Seniors Scene By George "The Engineer" Epstein
Stu is a senior citizen I’ve known, and admired, for many years. In his earlier life, he was a super entrepreneur in the advertising industry. Knowing I am writing this column, Stu sent me the details of a fascinating Texas hold’em hand, asking my opinion. Let’s see what you think... I have added a few comments (in italics).
It was a 1/2-kill pot with the betting now starting at $15 and $30. The first bettor opened; the second bettor raised. I was holding a pair of jacks. My thinking: The opener had either a pair or two high cards, one possibly an ace. If unpaired, his two high cards were suited or sequenced and could lead to a flush or straight. The raiser probably had a higher pair. I had nothing invested so far but jacks were a fair hand, worth calling a raise; so I thought. Then the fourth player reraised, bringing the pot to $255. The fifth player called. He had to have a pair or high suited cards, or at the very least an ace, lured in by the size of the pot and having money to burn. The original opener called, convincing me that he had a worthwhile playing hand. The first raiser also called. (The pot now had over $400!) I called too. Should I have? (Tough decision. At this point, the pot odds were high relative to the card odds; so calling was correct -- and hope for a third jack on the flop. —GE)
The flop was 7, 8 and 10, with two suited cards. The first raiser bet. Another decision: My pair of jacks was most likely beat. Again, the HOPE and DREAM of a Gambler: Maybe I would get the third jack? (You also had a draw to an inside straight. Perhaps now you were really INVESTING. —GE) Knowing that rarely does a situation like usually leads to disappointment, I called the bet. (Your card odds -- 2 jacks and four 9s -- were 41 to 6. The pot now $500; your pot odds were significantly higher than 7 to 1. The Investment Odds had to be favorable -- see p.151 in my book. The right bet was to call; now you are Investing. —GE)
The fourth player who had previously reraised did it again. The fifth player folded. The original bettor also called. My oh my, that pot was now huge and I had so much invested with not that much money left if I called, I “GAMBLED” and called. (At this point I would pray to the Poker Gods. —GE) The turn was another 10, pairing the board. The first two players checked. So did I. The big raiser bet. We all called. I had long since stopped figuring the size of the pot. The river card was a 9, off color. (I think the Poker Gods heard you. —GE) No Flush possible. The first player checked. The original raiser hesitated and checked. I had made an inside straight, jack high. It wasn’t likely that any of the players could have a higher straight. But there could be a Full House out there. I only had enough money to call if anyone bet. This I would have to do, so I might as well bet, and pray. (Yes, I agree —GE).
The remaining players looked startled and the next bettor, who had done the most raising, just called. The original raiser called. The cards showed: kings over 10s for the original raiser, and aces over 10s for the reraiser. My jack-high straight took that HUGE pot!. GOOD PLAYING???? I don't think so. That's why they call it “GAMBLING”. What’s your opinion?
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! (T/C Press, PO Box 36006, Los Angeles, CA 90036) A retired engineer who received many industry and government awards and commendations, he continues to be active by consulting, editing an international technical newsletter, teaching an engineering course at UCLA, and serving as an officer in a professional engineering society. One engineering society has a scholarship in George’s honor. In writing his poker book, he applied the lessons learned and experience while working as an engineer to solve problems. He is currently writing his next book on The Four Rules for Success in Life and Living. Reach George by e-mail: geps222@msn.com.
This article was published in the July 28th 2003 edition of Poker Player
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! (T/C Press, PO Box 36006, Los Angeles, CA 90036) A retired engineer who received many industry and government awards and commendations, he continues to be active by consulting, editing an international technical newsletter, teaching an engineering course at UCLA, and serving as an officer in a professional engineering society. One engineering society has a scholarship in George’s honor. In writing his poker book, he applied the lessons learned and experience while working as an engineer to solve problems. He is currently writing his next book on The Four Rules for Success in Life and Living. Reach George by e-mail: 
