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Venetian Poker Room Opens with a Spectacular Tournament Event
Published: 2006-04-03
 The Venetian Poker Room officially opened on Sunday evening with a star studded Invitational Grand Opening Tournament. 284 players took their seats for an opportunity to drive home in a new dazzling yellow Lotus.
Expecting about 200 players and having closer to 300 show up proved to be no problem for this inaugural event. The shuffle up and deal command went out a little after 9:00 PM and 7 hours later Beatric Stranzixger scooped the remainder of Carlos Mortensen's chips to claim the keys to the exotic sports car.
This crowd of players included some of the top names in professional poker gathering for the upcoming major tournaments. Beatric outlasted a blue ribbon field to lay claim to the first ever tournament at the Venetian's new poker room. Carlos Mortensen finished in second place after the two went heads up and traded chips. Beatric overcame almost going out when she had four chips left and was all-in. She won the pot and then went on an unanswered run to amass enough checks to become a contender, eliminating two players in one hand after eliminating another final table player on the hand before. Two hands dealt three players headed for the door. Carlos went into the heads up match with an approximate 3-1 chip lead, then dominated table and collected the blinds when Beatric folded hand after hand to his raise. The momentum turned when Beatric moved all-in and doubled through Carlos, then a few hands later she doubled through again to pull almost even. A few hands later Beatric moved into the lead after Carlos folded hands to her raises. Carlos didn't go down without a good fight forcing Beatric to win the chips.
I noticed both Carlos and Beatric often intently studying each other when the final table of ten players was first seated. Both would scrutinize the other even when they were not in the hand, as if they were collecting data for the heads-up duel to come. Maybe Beatric got a read on Carlos and that provided the winning edge but it doesn't take anything away from the win. Beatric played a tough, aggressive game and she had to beat a former WSOP world champion to claim the title. Congratulations on the victory and here's hoping you drive as well as you play, a Lotus can be two or three handfuls of power and speed.
The Grand Opening was a great success from the moment Robin Leach declared the poker room officially open following a champagne toast by hundreds of fans and players. The crowds for the opening day events were massive and most stayed throughout the night. Even at 3 o'clock on a Monday morning the fans were crowded on the rail until the final river card was dealt and Carlos shoved all of his chips to Beatric. The Venetian Poker Room staff did a superb job of handling the unknowns of an opening day and our highest congratulations are in order. Director of Poker Operations, Kathy Redman, and her entire staff made this one fun party for everyone. Watching the room come to life from behind the scenes was a great experience. I will post some observations, thoughts and additional opening day photos later today. Stop by the new room for a great playing experience. Photos are in the Proker Prof's Gallery for the Venetian Grand Opening.
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Poker Brings Family Together
Published: 2006-04-01
 Family rituals seem to unite us all. These things that seem to merely just be a game create a bond that is so strong you will be shocked to know that the focus is poker. Although some believe poker is an avenue of evil sins and spirits, my family has taken it upon itself to view it as an insightful way to reach the teenage mind. In our family, poker never fails.
We sit at our dinner table for hours until someone runs out of money. We play various games like “5-Card Draw,” “Blackjack,” “31,” and “7-card No Peek.” During the games, many conversations are started and root beer floats slosh around the table. Many stories are shared at this table fit for eight — the table where Grandma, the poker champion, taught us all to play. Having a great bond with this family reminds me of everything that I need to be thankful for and the love that will forever grow.
When I play these games, it reminds me of the family that I will forever have and can always depend on. I can look back at the many memories we have and realize they are full of family — a family that will accept whoever and whatever you are, and a family that is so diverse it is much like a melting pot. But that is what makes us complete — diversity. We are not all the same. We might have the same hair color or eyes, but we do not have the same manner-isms or humor.
We do, however, have one thing in common. We are in this family together as a unit. My family is a part of me. The traditions that we practice started many years ago. Who taught my grandmother how to play poker? Will I teach my grandchildren? Will I continue this tradition of not just poker but also the incredible love we share for one another?
I will definitely teach my children and grandchildren, because I know that this love we’ve created is so strong that it encourages me to never let go and feel forever. It doesn’t have to be poker, but I do hope other families search for a way to reach beyond the generation barriers and create traditions with their children and grandchildren.
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