Epsiode #107: Don Baruch
MAIN TOPIC
Chris and I got our first up-close look at a World Series of Poker bracelet when Don Baruch, the Hard Rock Tampa regular who schooled Daniel Negreanu to win Event #21. (That's Don above with us, and his nephew, who he brought along to make sure Chris didn't five-finger-discount that latest addition to his jewelry collection). Listen to the show here.
Don entertained us with stories from his Big Event, including why he wore the same shirt, what it was like playing against top pros, how he reacted to commentators' comments and how he celebrated afterward. (Hint: It made me Blue.)
Don also talked about the new Florida laws, what it's like playing at the Hard Rock and he tells us how well he treats his wife (if you thought my Wife Tax was generous, you better believe I'm not letting Laura listen to this week's episode). And you're not going to want to miss his great story involving Phil Ivey, Barry Greenstein and Larry Flynt's jet.
OTHER TOPICS
Vegas, baby: Fasso is half way to broke, Chris just got there and I'll be there in less than 24 hours. Wish us luck, and swing by Binion's at 8 p.m. Tuesday if you're in town and play some cards with us.
Obama has a mean poker face: That's right - presidential candidate Barack Obama is a rounder. And we love this Associated Press quote from a player in his home game: "He wouldn't throw money in the pot just to play out a hand. He had to know he had a darn good chance of winning."
Florida laws: Poker gets a lot better in Florida on Sunday. If you've been under a rock, go through the June archives of this blog for lots of interesting news.
HAND OF THE WEEK
Don stuck around to walk us through a hand everyone who watched his final table is buzzing about.
Three-handed and in the big blind, Don flops top pair and a flush draw with 10s-2s. Don bets out, and Daniel Negreanu raises him on the button. Don says his decision was clear: He needed to push all-in. Daniel had left himself enough chips that he could get away from his hand, and that's what he did, tossing Q-10 - top pair with a much better kicker - into the muck. Don says this hand "was his tournament." Nice play.
- SCOTT
Christopher Cosenza is co-host of the longest running poker podcast on the planet, Ante Up! He started playing poker seriously in 2003 and his favorite players are Phil Ivey and Kenna James, though he tends to act like Phil Hellmuth if you make a bad play against him.
Scott Long, Ante Up!'s other co-host, is the author of the monthly Bet on It column in tbt*. He began gambling way too young (don't tell the fuzz!) and in the seventh grade, named his state "Gambleland" for a school project (State Animal? Loan shark, of course).
Don loves Omaha. Don made it to my list of heroes. Please report to event 50 and take that one down for the Ante Up! Nation :D
Posted by: Erwin Blonk | June 29, 2007 at 06:36 PM
Did anybody else think that Don sounded a bit like James Woods?
Michael
Posted by: Michael Paul | June 29, 2007 at 06:49 PM
Another great show guys! You should have Don on again after the main event.
Sorry Fasso didn't make it to day 2. Do us proud Chris and Scott!
Posted by: Aquaman | June 29, 2007 at 10:30 PM
Great show guys. Wow Michael - I made my fiancee listen to the show in the car and she said "are those guys talking to James Woods?" - lol
Posted by: ante_up_fan | July 01, 2007 at 01:30 PM