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 | Hot Bets
Tips from our SportsBook expert
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 | A Week on a Million-Dollar Poker Cruise
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Day 2
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Out of the Woods: "When I wake up, I think, golf or poker."
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10 a.m. and counting. Mike Sexton, Partypoker.com's executive host and co-host of the Travel Channel's WPT, opened the tournament as if it were debut of the New York Stock Exchange. "This is the biggest and the best PP Million 111, with the best living poker players in this room," he cheerleaded. "You're all winners because you have made it here!"
Then the first half of the massive group (270 players, whose names were drawn randomly from the lot) headed for the tables. Imagine a couple of hundred players, framed by magnificent views of the endless Pacific Ocean, in chinos, shorts and sundresses depending on gender, embarking on a journey that could change their lives. Some wore hats and sunglasses to cover their poker faces; many hid good-luck pieces in their pockets.
Said Dave Lamb, one of the ship's poker floor directors, "It didn't appear that the participants were vying for a million greenbacks. Maybe it was because we were on a ship at sea, that brought relaxation."
Among the throng: Actor James Woods, who dropped all plans when he heard about the cruise--two days before the sailing. Woods confided that he's been playing for only seven months, but he's so hooked; he plays five nights a week at a regular, secretive Monday night game with celebrities like Ben Affleck, Gabe Kaplan, Edward James Olmos, Vince Van Patten and a myriad of producers, writers, and comedians. Cost to buy in each night: 5 grand.
"When I wake up, I think, golf or poker," Woods kidded. That's not far from the money. Affleck, his pal, recently told Larry King that poker is the new golf.
Later, I met with Van Patten, former tennis pro and actor and considered king of the Hollywood home games. Van Patten comes from a family of poker players; he told me his dad Dick used to host nightly games in the family kitchen that lasted through the middle of the night. Vince started playing with the elite at the age of 12, but since he was co-hosting the finals, he was not allowed to play the tournament. He spent his time working out, and playing side games.
When the day ended, 87 of the 270 players remained, with chips ranging from $2,000 to $68,000.
Day 3
The remaining 276 players began their play. Suddenly, the pressure of the high stakes finally seems to have hit--the general mood was less jovial, and players' serious demeanors kicked into high gear.
The tournament continued all day and well into the wee hours. When players lost the tournament they continued to gamble in side games--and many used their laptops, paid outrageous fees to hook into the wireless internet and played online.
By end of day, the 276 players dwindled to 90; along with the 87 from the first play day, that made 177 contenders to compete the next night. After a day in port.
Day 4
First stop, Cabo San Lucas. Partypoker.com sponsored a luncheon for VIPs at Sammy Hager's CaboWabo Cantina, and cruisers had a chance to hop a tender to shore, let loose, sample the flowing tequila, break bread, split syllables, schmooze and dance the afternoon away. Those not on the A-list chose to fish, swim, or work on a tan.
Some water-taxied to Lovers Beach, one of the few places in the world with two beachfronts, the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez. When I was in the area last summer, Brad Pitt and Orlando Bloom were shooting Troy near there. All I can say is, "Yummy!"
Back on ship, an evening of play--and 27 remained for the next day of competition.
Day 5
 | Stopover Mexico: Street scene in La Paz.
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A stop in Pichilingue, a quiet seaside tourist town 15 miles from La Paz. We were dropped off in the middle of a town square, where we were free to roam. Some of us lounged quietly at the Bougainvillea Restaurant; others repaired off to the more boisterous Carlos and Charlie's Restaurant and Cantina. Cruisers with a few bucks left in their pockets bargained with the dockside silver and craft vendors. They waited till the very last minute before re-boarding ship. They knew we'd be at sea for the next few days.
When the tournament continued, some--tired from the Mexican heat or inebriated from 100-proof tequila--did not play so well. Games again lasted to till the wee hours, until six finalists were left: familiar names Steve Zolotow, Scotty Nguyen, Barry Greenstein, Daniel Negreanu and Erick Lindgren, and but one, lonely amateur, Chris Henchcliffe.
Omaho expert Mark Tenner gave an advanced class on his brand of poker. He was hard-edged in his explanations, discussing the nuts and bolts of Omaha, including: the need for patience, not playing any four cards dealt you, bluffing, money management, record keeping and reading an opponent. But the guy has a sense of humor outside of class. At a ship talent show a few nights later, the middle-aged man appeared shirtless with a towel wrapped around his waist and flashed three backup singers in silly lip sync performance. I have to add that one of the singers was his wife, Lisa.
There was a lighter class with poker expert, Linda Johnson, who hosted a Texas Hold 'Em class for novices. She taught hand rankings, terminology, etiquette, betting structures and winning strategies. "I advise the students on what hands are playable, and when to bet, raise and fold. The only thing I insist on is that they have a good time and laugh at my corny jokes!"
She also conducted a seminar with top pros Sexton, Jan Fisher and Howard Lederer, who gave tips and answered Qs.
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