Little Drama in Playing it Safe

Date: 2007.04.02 | Category: Hand Of The Week | By: Phil Hellmuth   

After winning my first three heats, and surging to an almost insurmountable point lead (24 points) in the Premiere League, I finished in sixth place (zero points) in my fourth heat.

When I was invited to London to compete in the Premier League, it looked like it was going to be a great chance for me to get some International exposure. The Premier League works like this: a dozen world-class players compete for points in six “heats.” Six players (the four top scorers, and two winners from consolation heats) compete in the finale. Going into the finale each player has their points multiplied by $10,000.

Going into the fifth heat, I was thinking that three points would lock me into the top four, and an automatic advancement to the six-player finale. I also clearly remembered my hot start at the “2006 Super Stars of Poker” on Fox Sports Net, and the way I faded in my last few heats. I was determined not to fade this time around. Thus, I entered the heat with a super conservative tact. I would wait for the other players to tango and bust themselves. Unfortunately, my five opponents also took that tact, and nothing exciting seemed to happen for a long time. My opponents were Andy Black, Vicky Coren, Ian Schafer, Dave “Devilfish” Ulliot and Tony G.