‘Coach’ and the Poker Cheerleaders

Date: 2006.01.02 | Category: Hand Of The Week | By: Phil Hellmuth   

While at the Borgata Hotel in Atlantic City recently, my opponent moved all-in for $5,500 on a board of K-Q-8-2-2. I had Q-Q, and $40,000 in chips in front of me, which made for an easy call — but still, I looked into my opponents menacing clear blue eyes and asked, “Bluffing, Coach?” Now “Coach” peered down at his hole cards, exposing them to the four beautiful cheerleaders in full uniform standing behind him.

Suddenly, the cheerleaders stepped into formation, and began the following cheer, “Pocket kings, pocket kings, go kings!” On cue, I looked toward the dealer, and said, “I fold,” while throwing my queens face up on the table. Then I quickly turned back to the cheerleaders and said, “Thanks, ladies.”

“Coach,” NFL Legend Mike Ditka, then said — perfectly on cue, and dripping with anger — “Don’t you girls have a game to go to?” I laughed as I watched Ditka fold his pocket kings face up on the table. “That’s a wrap, put it in the can,” said the director. Ditka, Ron “Jaws” Jaworski, a bunch of AFL (Arena Football League) mascots, and I, all relaxed and waited for the crew to set-up the second commercial shoot.