Just The Facts!

Monte Carlo Poker

Monte Carlo, in the Principality of Monaco, where all the hotels are five-star and the taxis are fine Mercedes Benzs, is quite a setting for a poker tournament. The Monte Carlo Millions, hosted by PrimaPoker, recently concluded there. This exclusive tournament was limited to a field of 120 players, with a guaranteed prize pool of $3 million and $1 million going to the winner. The main event and consolation event will be shown on FoxSportsNet in late January in a 10-part series. A twist was added to this year’s event. All players who did not make the final table got to play in a consolation event, with the winner guaranteed $100,000 and a seat at the final table of the main event and another shot at $1 million. Also, the buy-in was increased to $25,000 this year. Poker history was made when both final tables were played and filmed in the Salon Prive of Monte Carlo Casino. The Salon Prive is the invitation-only private room for exclusive players, and is located adjacent to the main casino. Poker had never been played in the casino before, so it was very special. The magnificent room features 30-foot high ceilings, priceless art, gold laminate, and ornate frescoed ceilings.

The top 12 spots were paid in the main event, and 10 percent went to the top 12 spots in the Monte Carlo Gold consolation event. The structure was outstanding. We started with $50,000 in chips and 90-minute levels. There were 118 players, 43 Americans and 75 from the rest of the world, mostly Europe. Twelve qualified online to win their seats. I finished 23rd in the main event. I made a bad play with $130,000 in chips, when the average was more than $260,000. A player to my right raised to $10,000 with the blinds at $1,500-$3,000. I had A-10, decided to make a marginal call, and the flop came A-Q-3. He checked and I bet $20,000. He called. The turn card was another 3. He checked. I liked the 3. When you get close to the money, players tend to tighten up and play better hands as they try to make the money. Some pros will take advantage of this to pick up the blinds. This player was not a pro. I should have been suspicious when he called on the flop. I bet $40,000, and after a brief 10 seconds, he raised all in. I could have folded there and been short, but still have a shot. So, of course, I called off the rest of my chips. He showed A-Q and I was done. Here’s some advice to novices: Be deliberate in your decisions and have the discipline to save chips when it’s obvious you’re beat.