Oklahoma Johnny Hale Watching Over His Brand
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Level 21
: 6,000/12,000, 200 ante
We noticed the unmistakable Oklahoma Johnny Hale buzzing around the tournament floor on his motorized mount, as he graciously congratulated each and every senior still left standing for reaching this late stage of the tournament.
Oklahoma Johnny was kind enough to regale us with a few tales from his storied poker career, and he even showed off the glittering gold bracelet awarded to him by Jack Binion in 1980. When asked what he thinks of a seniors tournament attracting more than 4,400 players, Hale was not surprised in the slightest.
"These players are the lifeblood of poker," he told us. "Their the ones that come to the casino early and start the games, and its their extra money that starts the whole thing going."
expecting to be in a coin flip situation at worst, but he was dismayed to see Iannello table the 
, putting him in a terrible spot for his tournament life.
, and when the 
arrived on the turn, Ji stood up and sighed, before offering the table a sincere "good luck to you all."
. Three players checked and a player bet 6,500. Alex Kunichoff called, and then Pablo Estrada raised to 21,500 from the small blind. After tanking for a couple minutes, O'Dea raised to 50,000. Action folded around to Estrada, who thought for minute. He asked O'Dea if he held pocket fours, and then decided to call. Estrada turned over 
for a full house, and O'Dea held 
for trip fours. O'Dea was drawing to a single out, which never materialized, and the poker great lost a large chunk of his stack.
. The 1997 Main Event runner-up was in good shape with his 
, but as he learned the hard way on the hot Fremont Street pavement one fateful day 16 years ago, nothing is decided until the river card falls.
, and although the wheel was out of the question, Strzemp could not have liked to see the 
drop in on the turn. With one card between him and a double up, Strzemp was impassive, perhaps knowing he had already suffered the worst bad beat he'll ever take. Sure enough, the 
came on the river, and Strzemp secured the double despite a bit of unwanted sweat.
, Ji clapped his hands in celebration, turning back to Vedes to commiserate over the sick sweat. Vedes patted his friend on the shoulder in encouragement, telling the man now known as Young Ji-Z to keep running good before heading off to no doubt play a few hands of his own.
flop was already on the board and Corkins made the call. He turned over 
putting him in a coin flip situation for a large pile of chips.
, and Cheung's big slick was left lacking, but an 
on the turn hit his hand perfectly. When a 
arrived on the river, Cheung notched the knockout, and built his stack to over 130,000 in the process.
, having his bets called on the flop and fourth street. On the river, Ji led out for 4,500, and his opponent looked him up, but mucked when Ji confidently rolled over the 
for two pair.
