‘It’s Just Pocket Jacks’

Date: 2007.06.11 | Category: Poker | By: Phil Hellmuth   

During a no-limit Hold ’em tournament at this year’s World Series of Poker (WSOP), I told poker star Gavin Smith, “I should have folded before the flop, after all it was just pocket jacks.” Smith claimed that I inspired him, and he went on to finish — two days later — in second place. Since then, Smith and I have been telling each other, “It’s just pocket jacks!”

Meanwhile, I’ve been playing poker at my desired level, but some bad luck stopped me from breaking through the first five days of the WSOP. Finally, on June 6, I made money, and made it to the end of the day — with more than $90,000 in chips. How did I celebrate breaking my own “all-time cashes” record of 57 (now 58)? At 3 a.m., I went for a hard workout. The record I really want is the most bracelets won, and, with 120 players left, I’ll have a shot at my 11th WSOP victory (you can follow at cardplayer.com).