AMOS TROTTER WORLD POKER TOUR 05

chapter 3

"Hey." He said.
I was quiet for several seconds then said, "hey."

"You going to Vegas aren't you."

"Unless I really screwed up everyone on this plane is going to Vegas." I replied not really believing the comment to begin with.

"You going to play in the poker tournament aren't you. I can tell."

I didn't know how he could tell but he was right. And it would be a stretch to think everyone on the flight would be in the tournament. "What gave me away?" I asked. "Do I look as nervous as I feel?"

"No, no," he said, "you look fine. I can just tell things when it comes to some people. I don't know how I know, I just know that I know. Might be a gift, might be a curse, who knows? I'm Johnny Savage, pleased to meet you."

"Amos Trotter." I answered. "You playing in the tournament too?"

"I sure am. Been saving two years to raise the entry fee. It has made things a bit tight but I just have to do this once in my life."

"Yeah, it is not a cheap buy in. I plan on being careful and play very conservative at least until I make it to the payouts."

"Well now, that's a mistake right there. The Pro's see you being timid and they run right over you with nothing in their hand. You got to feel the table and when they start to push you, and they will, you have to pick a spot and push back."

"And you learned this from playing in how many tournaments again?"

"You know it's my first, I told you that. But I have watched every televised event I could find. I think I have them figured out."

Johnny was a fount of this type of poker expertise and I had no choice but to endure it for the five hours it took to land in Las Vegas. I exited the plane quickly, dodged Johnny through the terminal, gathered my bag as quickly as possible and snagged a cab to the Bellagio. I was more than ready for a decent meal and a lot of peace and quiet.