MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

I arrived in Vegas Monday night and my buddy and I go to the MGM Grand for some poker. I get in a 1/2 NL cash game while my buddy plays 3/6 limit.

So I'm sitting there at my 1/2 NL game and I see Phil Gordon walking around (yes, that Phil Gordon [img]/images/graemlins/ooo.gif[/img] ). He makes his way to my table and sits down immediately to my right [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]. He is apparently killing time waiting for his seat in the Big Game upstairs.

Phil pulls about 10 $100 bills out and tries to buyin for that much. They only let him buy $200 (the table max). He complains a bit.

I figure he probably wont be at our table for long so I want to play some hands against him.

This hand isnt that interesting but it sets up a good one:

One of the first hands that he is at the table I'm in LP with QJo and a few limpers (including Phil). I limp.
Flop is T8x rainbow.
Phil bets some small amount.
I call (not what I'd normally do, but I figure he wont be at our table for long so I just want to play against him here and maybe get lucky and catch a 9).
Turn is another 8.
Phil bets bigger this time.
I think about it and look at him. He stares at me and says, "I have 86o".
I fold. I think now that he was lying, but anyway.....

About a hand or two later:
Phil open raises to $6 preflop.
I look down at Ad Kd and raise to $20.
All fold to Phil who calls.
Flop comes K 6 4 one diamond.
Phil goes all in for about $200 [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img].
I have about $180 or so left in my stack.
Its too soon since he sat down for me to know how he's playing. I go in the tank. I dont know if he's bluffing, has a set, has 77 - JJ, has something like A 6, KQ, KJ, KT or some other random mediocre holding. I'm sure he doesnt have KK or AA, but other than that I dont know. He starts talking: "If this guy calls me I wont need to buy more chips". I figure he doesnt want me to call at that point, so I call. Before I turn my cards over he says he thinks I have QQ. He thinks I'm some random donk at that point.
He flips over 6 4 [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] and his two pair hold up.
He says "sorry man, that was a really bad beat".

Later on, the cardroom manager says "Phil, we have a spot at the 5/1000 spread limit game open, do you want it?" Phil thinks for a few seconds and says, "No, I'm having fun with these guys, I'll stay here for now" as he slaps me and the guy on his right on the back. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

So an hour or two later I see Phil is raising a huge number of hands preflop.

Then this hand happens: A few limpers, Phil raises, I look down at 55 and call. Several others call. The flop comes A 5 x rainbow. Phil bets, I raise. All fold to Phil who goes in the tank. I stare at the felt thinking, "call me!!". He puts his fingers on my neck to take my pulse. The whole table cracks up [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]. He says, "you need to work on your cardio, man" and folds [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]. Later he says to me, "you had a set there, didnt you?" I said "ya, you had an A didnt you?" He says yes.

A while later the card room manager says to Phil that his spot in the Big Game is now open. Phil says, "no thanks, I'm going to be leaving soon anyway." I was thinking, oh well, it was fun while it lasted. He stays another two hours at our table [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

Between hands Phil was playing rock-paper-scissors for $5 - $50 a pop against the guy on his right. He wanted me to do it but I wouldnt. He wound up taking a lot of money from that guy. He told the guy when he left that he had a read on him with the way he was twisting his wrist with scissors or something [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].

Phil talked quite a bit about strategy the whole time he was there.

One guy had Jx in position on a AQJxx board (the X's were unimportant in this hand). The other guy in the hand checks the river. The guy with Jx bets on the end. The other guy folds and the Jx guy shows. Phil says "thats a bad bet" and talks for 15 minutes about why. I was the only one at the table who knew why. I said to him, "I thought that was an elementary check". Apparently none of the others at the table read 2+2 [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img].

Whenever someone would bluff and show, Phil would say, "You are capable of making a play like that? That's good to know."

When Phil left the table I shook his hand and told him it was a lot of fun. He slapped me on the back two or three more times and then sat there for about 5 minutes talking to me about how important it is to be aggressive and put pressure on your opponents by raising. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Great guy. That was the most fun I ever had playing poker.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

do you remember the action leading up to the river on the QJ hand? cos it seems to me that can be a good bet depending on the context.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

Did phil end up leaving with any profit?

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

The QJ hand, he bet more than I should have called on the flop and way more than I would normally consider calling after that turn card. The only reason I went that far was so I could say I played a hand against Phil Gordon.

The way I played it, he probably pegged me for a loose passive player at that point. The reason I put that hand in the post is because I think it had an effect on how he played the next one.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Did phil end up leaving with any profit?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes he did. He played really loose aggressive but he used reads to keep himself out of trouble. Its hard to say how much money he won at poker because of all the money he won from playing rock-paper-scissors from the guy on his right.

Everything he said about strategy was right on and he was spouting numbers like a computer when he talked about the odds in a hand. The guy is extremely intelligent.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

Hope you asked him how tall he is. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Hope you asked him how tall he is. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

He's a tall dude - I'd guess somewhere between 6'6" and 6'9".

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
The QJ hand, he bet more than I should have called on the flop and way more than I would normally consider calling after that turn card. The only reason I went that far was so I could say I played a hand against Phil Gordon.

The way I played it, he probably pegged me for a loose passive player at that point. The reason I put that hand in the post is because I think it had an effect on how he played the next one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, I should have been clearer, sorry. I was wondering about the AQJxx hand, not the T8x hand.

Maybe I'm being results-oriented but I think you shoulda mucked the AK. I think so because of what Phil was likely to be thinking of you at that point. Namely,
1, you're a random 1/2 player so when you re-raise you have AK/AA-JJ, maybe AQ-AJ.
2, you're a random 1/2 player, so you always think your opponents are trying to bluff you. You will therefore be uninclined to muck QQ/JJ on that flop, and will certainly not fold AA/AK.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The QJ hand, he bet more than I should have called on the flop and way more than I would normally consider calling after that turn card. The only reason I went that far was so I could say I played a hand against Phil Gordon.

The way I played it, he probably pegged me for a loose passive player at that point. The reason I put that hand in the post is because I think it had an effect on how he played the next one.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, I should have been clearer, sorry. I was wondering about the AQJxx hand, not the T8x hand.

[/ QUOTE ]

The action was pretty much check-check all the way I think. Phil and many 2+2ers know that you should check there because hands that have you beat will call you and the hands you are ahead of will fold to any bet. Its better to check there.



[ QUOTE ]
Maybe I'm being results-oriented but I think you shoulda mucked the AK. I think so because of what Phil was likely to be thinking of you at that point. Namely,
1, you're a random 1/2 player so when you re-raise you have AK/AA-JJ, maybe AQ-AJ.
2, you're a random 1/2 player, so you always think your opponents are trying to bluff you. You will therefore be uninclined to muck QQ/JJ on that flop, and will certainly not fold AA/AK.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, no arguments here.

If this hand had happened a half hour or so later and if I had known how he was playing (raising with crap), it would have been insta-fold. I figured he might have been trying to push me around with the other holdings I listed earlier. I did not see 6 4 coming.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

Awesome post! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

This is one of the great things about poker vs. other games/sports. You can actually play against/talk to some of the best players in the world. Contract Bridge is another game like that.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
This is one of the great things about poker vs. other games/sports. You can actually play against/talk to some of the best players in the world. Contract Bridge is another game like that.

[/ QUOTE ]

yes as long as they are playing 1/2 or whenever michael jordan is playing in a local ymca pick up game

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

He made a personal visit to our state legislature to discuss with them the benefits of Bar Poker (poker tourneys for prizes in a bar) - and they passed it - so THAT rocks.

That and his website where he talks about all the places he's gone...

nope...I'm sure of it. I hate him [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Very cool story, man. Have you gotten the treadmill so you can get your cardio in check yet [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

RB

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
He made a personal visit to our state legislature to discuss with them the benefits of Bar Poker (poker tourneys for prizes in a bar) - and they passed it - so THAT rocks.

That and his website where he talks about all the places he's gone...

nope...I'm sure of it. I hate him [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Very cool story, man. Have you gotten the treadmill so you can get your cardio in check yet [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

RB

[/ QUOTE ]

My treadmill collects dust because I play poker and read 2+2 all the time.

Youre from Minnesota too, aren't you? I didnt know that Phil played a role in all the poker going on in the bars here. Thats cool [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

Great post!

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Then this hand happens: A few limpers, Phil raises, I look down at 55 and call. Several others call. The flop comes A 5 x rainbow. Phil bets, I raise. All fold to Phil who goes in the tank. I stare at the felt thinking, "call me!!". He puts his fingers on my neck to take my pulse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does anyone else play this differently? Why didn't you call? There's a lot of limpers in this pot. Furthermore, I think it removes the 'check-the-pulse' tell. Although I wonder about the ethics of it.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Does anyone else play this differently? Why didn't you call?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, that board sounds perfect for a flop call. No flush draws, no broadway draws, just an A that probably hit somebody. I would have just called this one.

Regardless, thanks for sharing. I enjoyed the post. Phil always seemed like a classy guy, I have no doubt that playing with him for a few hours would be a blast.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Then this hand happens: A few limpers, Phil raises, I look down at 55 and call. Several others call. The flop comes A 5 x rainbow. Phil bets, I raise. All fold to Phil who goes in the tank. I stare at the felt thinking, "call me!!". He puts his fingers on my neck to take my pulse.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does anyone else play this differently? Why didn't you call? There's a lot of limpers in this pot. Furthermore, I think it removes the 'check-the-pulse' tell. Although I wonder about the ethics of it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good question. Sorry, I typed the flop wrong [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]. (not much sleep the last week or so [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]) The flop was two tone, not rainbow. That makes a big difference in this hand.

I didnt care about the ethics of the pulse thing at that point - I thought it was pretty funny. Now if that ever hapens at the WSOP, I would have an issue with it.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

So he just stuck his fingers on your neck then? He didn't even ask for permission?

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
So he just stuck his fingers on your neck then? He didn't even ask for permission?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, ala the Unabomber on the WPT show. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

I've been really impressed with Phils little green book. But I envy him even more after reading a couple of the trip reports he was involved in at tiltboys.com.

The constant angling, betting on anything that moves, from roshambo to the circle game, hilarious.

I'm pretty sure no one is having more fun playing poker for a living than Phil.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've been really impressed with Phils little green book. But I envy him even more after reading a couple of the trip reports he was involved in at tiltboys.com.

The constant angling, betting on anything that moves, from roshambo to the circle game, hilarious.

I'm pretty sure no one is having more fun playing poker for a living than Phil.

[/ QUOTE ]


He says he doesnt really play very much, he's just having fun. I get the feeling his TV gigs are paying quite well.

Yes I said gigS. As in plural. He mentioned about how much fun he had doing the Celebrity Poker games, but he wont be doing them anymore.

I asked him why?
He didnt seem to want to say much so he just says, "I had a disagreement with Celebrity Poker".
So I say, "what happened??"
He reluctantly answers, "well, they didnt like the idea of me doing that new CBS poker show, so I quit Celebrity Poker." [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

This new CBS show should be pretty cool. The first one will be Christmas day, I think between a football game and a basketball game. There will be 26 shows in 2006. Phil Gordon will be doing the commentary.

I think its going to be called ProJoe. There will be amateur qualifiers going up against a handful of pros. You cannot be ranked among their top 150 or 250 players in the world (I forget the exact number) to qualify. I think the buyins will be around $500. This could be a big hit. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Phil says he's looking forward to doing commentary on some real poker for a change. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

i agree with the comment that phil gordon looks to be having more fun than any other pro poker player. which is awesome. he's not, and may not ever be, considered among the top 5 or 10 players in the world, or anything like that, but hes having fun doing something he loves, and hes pretty good at it. so, [censored] it. good for him.

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

Nice report.

Many of the other well known pro players could learn a lot from things like this.
If they all behaved in this manner, even occasionally, they would do the game more good than they seem to be able to imagine.

Lori

Re: MGM Grand - 4 hrs with Phil Gordon (OT)
 

Phil is great - Little Green Book is outstanding IMO. Has anyone seen his DVD?