A Perfect Table

Abe is a small quiet man with a mustache. He is in his 60s and he speaks with a with a foreign accent that reveals his Mideastern roots. He was born in Iraq and he has only one hobby.

Poker.

Abe is a tough player who doesn't yield anything to anybody at the poker table. I think he would gladly check-raise his own grandmother if he had the chance.

The other night we were playing Omaha High-Low and during a lull in the game when both of us had folded our hands, Abe leaned over and said, 'This is a perfect poker table.'

All of the players at the table were new to me. I was enjoying the table, but I wanted to know what Abe meant by 'perfect.' I asked him to be specific. Why was this particular table perfect?

'Come on,' he said. 'You know what I'm talking about. Nobody raises. They are just calling stations.'

Two of the players were women and the five other players were men. Their ages ranged from the late 20s to about 55. Abe was right. During the four hours we spent at the table, the other players only raised the pot twice. Abe and I had total control over the game.

A perfect table is one where you control the size of the pot. You do this through raising with select hands that are above average. While you won't hit all the flops, you will hit enough of them to make a difference.

It's always fun to play at a perfect table. Such a table is stress-free and gives off a special aura that raising tables lack. Sometimes I feel ashamed when I take the money from the other players. Well, not too ashamed, but you know what I mean.

I always enjoy playing against Abe. Sometimes he can get emotional and will go on a raising rage, raising every pot for 10 or 15 minutes. When that happens, I just stay out of his way and will only call his raises with really good hands.

Talking Stick Casino near Scottsdale is holding an Omaha High-Low tournament next Sunday. The buy-in is $170 and each player will be given $8,000 in chips. Both Abe and I plan to enter it.

'When is the last time you finished in the money in a poker tournament?', I asked.

'Never,' he said. 'I never made the final table.'

'Maybe this time will be different,' I said.

Abe smiled. 'Maybe. We'll see.'

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).