Holly is one of “The Girls Next Door”

Yes, I am still taking a break from poker.

Last weekend was an exception, because it was a Vegas trip that had been planned for months. Also, my “break” means the regular Houston games I would normally play in. I’ll still play in the occasional home game, and of course, I’ll still play whenever I go to Vegas. I might even play in a Houston card room. Just not very often, and not for as much money.

Yes, I played $10-$20 NL at the Bellagio.

Yes, I played with Phil “The Unibomber” Laak.

I had the pleasure of sitting right next to him for over 3 hours and watching him play. Unfortunately for me, he was directly on my left, which meant I was severely limited in what I could do. Memo to self: when you play with one of the top professional players on the planet, try to sit on his left (not the other way around). Oh well.

I’m happy to report that Laak didn’t take 1 cent from me. The only real tough hand I was involved in with him, also involved a local pro on the other end of the table.

The local pro raised to $100 preflop (standard raise nearly ever hand). I called in late position with AJs. Unibomber called, and we saw a pot 3 handed.

The flop was AT5 rainbow, and the local pro led out for $200. I thought about calling, but this was a tough spot for me to be in. I had no idea what Laak planned to do, and I also had little idea where my AJ stood against the bettor. This hand could get expensive for me, so I decide to fold.

Smart move. Laak raises to $600. The bettor re-raised all-in for $2,800 more. Laak called reluctantly.

Laak had A5 for 2 pair.
Bettor had TT for middle set.

Middle set held up to win a huge pot. I’m glad I stayed out of that one.

Anyway, Laak was very cool, and was constantly pestered by fans coming up to shake his hand. He handled it all very well, and didn’t show the slightest sign of arrogance. I really liked him.

When I got home I did a little research into his bio and found these nuggets on his resume:

Hosts E! Hollywood Hold Em on TV
6th place WPT Bicycle 2003
12th place WPT Bellagio 2003
2nd place WSOP PL Hold Em
5th place 2005 Five Diamond World Poker Classic

Pretty impressive for a former repo man from Dublin.

If you were born in or around 1973, you will think this is awesome.

From: Junelli
To: Dr. Fro
Subject: Poker
Date: Sat, 24 Mar 2007 20:58:42 -0500

Unibomber is sitting directly on my left in the 10-20 NL game at Bellagio.

Sent by GoodLink (www.good.com)

The most depressing days of the year are (in no particular order):

1. The first Monday in January, when I go back to work after two weeks off;
2. The first game that UT loses (and for all practical purposes loses a shot at the National Championship)
3. The second game that UT loses (and really, really puts UT out of the National Championship)
4. My annual physical each April when, despite the fun that comes with being examined for testicular cancer from a fairly hot nurse, I get told that I need to slow down on the drinking of alcohol and coffee and that I need to work less and sleep more. Basically, I am told that I have to change my entire life, a life of which I am quite fond
5. That day in March when I become mathematically eliminated from my March Madness pool.

Due to the Memphis loss, I can now do no better than 7th place (money is paid to 1st-6th). I am moping around the house. Mrs. Dr. Fro keeps trying to cheer me up, “Fro, you get to have your nuggets rubbed by that nurse in a couple weeks…” Women, they just don’t understand.