Poker player bets on success at tournament

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The American Dream

Still, it’s the rags-to-riches drama and big-spender mentality that is a big attraction for TV viewers. Steve Lipscomb, CEO of WPT Enterprises, which owns the World Poker Tour brand, said the show has voyeuristic appeal.

“Americans see in our shows the fulfillment of their own dreams,” said Lipscomb. “They are captivated by the promise of overnight riches that our players dangle before them. If a 21-year-old can do it, why can’t they?”

World Series of Poker spokesman Brent Burkhardt said the total prize pool for its championship series in 2005 reached $103 million, more than double the $49 million in 2004.

And with all of this cash flowing freely, some players have turned their proficiency at cards into a professional rock star lifestyle. Elite players have endorsement contracts for everything from online poker sites and casinos to alcoholic beverages and, of course, sunglasses, which some players wear to disguise their “tells” — body language tips that might indicate the strength of your cards.

Blanda can tell a lot about his opponents by the way they dress. “You look for signs about their lifestyle, like an expensive ring or clothing. That means their ego is probably pretty big, so you can get them to throw in a lot of chips early on,” he said. “Or if a player dresses conservatively, they usually play that way.

“I’ve been in sales all my life, so I like to engage them in conversation right away, to read personalities and break down barriers.”

Bling It On

Taking the advice of some veteran players, Blanda always wears his gold bracelets at tournaments. Every time he places a bet, he pushes his chips toward the center of the table using both hands, slowly, to make sure everyone gets a long look at those shiny championship baubles on his wrists.

Borgata casino owners have told Blanda that if he was to win a third time there this September, they will make him a platinum necklace to signify his victory.

Yet his gold bracelets are usually the second topic of conversation when he sits down at a poker table. The first always is his last name — his cousin is Hall of Fame football player George Blanda.

Veteran players also told him to change his appearance during the course of a lengthy tournament, to avoid being typecast. Sometimes he wears his biker garb, sometimes not — but he always dresses comfortably, considering some tournaments last 12 hours. A big hockey fan, he often wears hockey jerseys, sometimes a ball cap, sometimes sunglasses.

“It drains you physically, just from all of the mental calculating you do,” he said.

Old-style poker tournaments were more of a winner-take-all format, but now, with about 10 percent of the field guaranteed some money, it is more of a test of endurance. “It’s like chess, and you’re out there to capture the other guy’s chips, like you would capture the king.”

Know When To Fold ’Em

When asked about the best hand he had ever played, Blanda says he is most proud of the fabulous card combinations that he has given up when he folded his hand and dropped out.

“Only one mistake or error in judgment and you are out of the game,” he said. “So the best hands are the ones that I didn’t lose. The ones when you can lay down, knowing you made the right decision, because that other guy has the best cards.”

At this week’s championship tournament, the rules are simple: lose all your chips and you go home. But the fact that he will be sitting across from poker heavyweights is no longer worrisome for Blanda.

“I’m not intimidated at all,” he said. “If you want to beat the best, you play the best. If we were fighting with knives or guns, well, then I might be intimidated, but it’s just cards. Let’s bring it on.”

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