I See Happy People

It’s not that the pros aren’t happy to play the WSOP, but it’s a long, risk ladden, haul.  They play long days.  They play many events that can quickly eat into even a healthy bankroll.  And while this is a job they love, it is still work.  So it’s a rare and treasured moment when I can gaze across the vast expanse of the Amazon room and see a truly happy person.

I don’t mean a perky person; perky people annoy the crap out of me.  And I don’t mean some jazzed up amatuer who’s invested far too much of their lives fantasizing about a life changing poker victory - whose mood can turn to poison on the very next hand when their chips and dreams are lost.  But there are a few people out there - when you look at them, you know they are in the one place that brings them joy and contentment; win or lose. 

Denise Molloy is such a person.  I first spotted Denise when she was deep in the WSOP $2.5K NLHE; she ended up finishing 14th.  I talked with her sister on the rail.  She and Denise had both made the final table of the women’s event in Rincon back in February.  Denise also went on to cash in the WSOP $1K SHOE event.  I took this picture of Denise during her Day One of the Main Event.  And she pretty much looks like this a lot of her playing day; just happy to be there.  She will have a little bit of an uphill battle when she starts her Day Two today - but I’m guessing she’s looking forward to the challenge. 

Brandon Gerson was another happy camper that I spotted during the Main Event.  I talked with him briefly after the first break, which I think he was tickled about making.  He still had a stack about midnight, although I didn’t see his name on the Day 1D survivors list.  But I could tell by watching him in the field, just getting to play in the big dance was going to float his boat for a long, long time.

Then something odd happened to me yesterday.  A dealer came up to me and said, “I’ve been meaning to tell you this since the WSOP began.  You know, you always look so happy and content while you work.”  And there it was - my Bruce Willis moment.  I was one of them. 

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 11th, 2007 at 1:05 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.