http://www.wcnc.com/news/strangenews/stories/wcnc-020404-al-celebrity_poker.7d11dd93.html One of the more under publicized, yet star-studded events Super Bowl weekend was held at the famous rib place of Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler in north Houston with an impromptu celebrity poker tournament. Rumor had it that the Hilton sisters and Moses Malone, a Philly basketball great, would be at Drexler’s BBQ. The Hilton sisters were no-shows as was Moses, but the draw of the Texas Hold ‘Em poker still brought some big time entertainment, athletic and professional poker icons to the table. Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans, a beginner poker player got there early to play some practice hands and looked like the favorite to be the first one out. Jerome Bettis, Rb for the Pittsburgh Steelers and seasoned poker player, arrived next. Marcus Allen, who claimed never to play before, Jeff Bagwell and of course Clyde Drexler, the tourney’s host rounded out the list of athletes. From the entertainment circle, Pianist-Composer Yanni, showed up with hair flowing, almost 45 minutes late. He used Houston traffic and the difficulty of the streets as an excuse. Kato Kaelin was another lively participant. He was the most eager and energetic about being there. Also online 6-Photo Slideshow Representing the world of sports journalism, Bill Simmons, better known as ‘Bill the sports guy’ bellied up in between Bettis and George. Simmons is a writer for ESPN page2, ESPN the magazine and the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. Three professional poker players showed up hoping to get in. Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, the 2000 poker champion, Phil Hellmuth, maybe the worlds most well known player and Andy Bloch were anxious to play. After much cajoling and whining, Phil Gordon, the host of celebrity poker relented. He granted limited handicapped access in that the amateurs were given $5,000 in chips whereas the pros only received $200. They tried to negotiate for more but finally gave in and accepted the two bills. The action broke into two tables. Eddie George, Bettis, Bill the Sports Guy, Andy Bloch, Kato and Marcus Allen were the headliners at table one. Jesus, Hellmuth, Drexler, Yanni and Bagwell were the big names at table two. Jesus went all in at table two on the first hand and was eliminated. Hellmuth quickly followed. Kato represented really well in person and was quick with one liners all night. He was consistently poked fun at and he either took it in stride or fired right back. A local business’ mascot showed up in a giant snowman outfit. When he made an entrance, Kato cracked, “My date finally arrived, where you been?” Later a fan screamed, “Come on Kato!” A participant kidded him, “See Kato, you’ve still got one fan left.” He shrugged and quipped right on beat, “That’s my sister”. Phil Gordon brought the camera over to play along with Kato and fired a joke of his own. “I think Kato is just here to find a new celebrity athlete to bunk with,” Gordon said. Gordon seemed to have no idea how uncomfortable he had just made the table. It was undeniably funny, however to the players and audience alike. All except Marcus Allen, a long time friend of O.J. Simpson who did not seem impressed. No laughter, no giggle, not even the slightest smile. There were no greetings or salutations when Allen and Kalin came to the table. Gordon seemed oblivious to the whole thing. Bill the sports guy went in for about $4,000 when he made his full house on the turn card which was called by Carolyn Farb, a charitable socialite of Houston. She was way behind on the hand though as she turned over a three of kind. On the river, the final card in play, she made her full house as well which beat Bill’s. Bill was easily the house favorite and the only one who seemed to know what he was doing but this defeat left him with only $300. He hung on for fourth somehow with smart, conservative play, but he just didn’t have the ammunition to make top three. Kato’s loose style of play cost him and he was also an early out. Andy Bloch was able to parlay his $200 in chips in to nearly $2,000. Phil Gordon seemed nervous that Andy might actually win this thing and his little gimmick to allow the pros to play might be questioned by the Celebrity Poker Tour. He nudged Andy and said off mike, “Hey man, what are you doing to me?” It became a moot point on the next hand when he pushed all in with a straight and Eddie George called with a flush and sent him home. Considering Eddie claimed not to know what he was doing, he had a commanding chip lead at this point. Eddie’s next target was a local Houston businessman named Ralph. He was your prototypical loud, obnoxious drunk. Nobody seemed to have any idea who he was or how he got into the tourney and it wasn’t for lack of effort. Every time he yelled there was a chorus of , “Who is that?” The tournament director later reported that he was friends with Clyde Drexler. Ralph was drinking heavily and being loud and Bagwell asked Marcus Allen, “Why did he invite him?” Marcus shrugged. Thankfully, Eddie’s flush beat Ralphy’s two pair and Eddie stood up and yelled, “Who Next?” giving Ralphy a taste of his own medicine. That was Ralphy’s recurring mantra throughout the night. He shouted that every time he knocked somebody out never once receiving the slightest chuckle from the crowd. Then things really got good. Ralphy refused to leave the table. He was making cell phones calls and begging Eddie George and Bettis to round out his morning foursome to no avail. Finally, Marcus Allen, had to step up and say, “Seriously, if are out of the game you have to leave the table.” Bettis punctuated it with, “Exit stage left.” Besides Phil Gordon ripping into Kato, it was the best pat of the night. Back to the action, the final three came down to Eddie George behind a mountain of chips, Jerome Bettis in third and Carolyn Farb, another beginner. Eddie’s lead proved to be too much and he muscled out his competition and took home the top prize. The prize is nothing to shake a stick at either, it earned him a free seat at a World Poker Tournament with a first place payout of 200,000$. Eddie was a nice enough guy but definitely not an above average player. He was aided by his many flushes and also his ability to see the TV screens where his opponents cards were displayed as part of the play-along device. He won’t have that luxury in the World Poker Tour. When he gets to Vegas he will surely be asking around, “What’s dead money?”
