The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Bernard Lee hit the poker scene when he finished 13th in the 2005 World Series of Poker main event and got paid $400,000 for his efforts. He got a lot of air time during ESPN's broadcast of the event as his wife was having surgery, but still wanted him to go to Vegas to play. While playing in the tournament, he kept a photo of her and his kids at the card table and in every crucial all-in hand, he would tightly clench the photo of his family as his good luck charm, often yelling out in triumph when he won the hand. Since then, he's dedicated more time playing poker, and won the 2006 World Poker finals at the Foxwoods casino and has lifetime poker winnings around $800,000. He regularly writes a column for ESPN.

I decided to send him an email just to say I like the column he writes, mainly because I feel we play a very similar tight, solid style. I also mentioned I'll be playing at my first World Series tournament in June, and I asked if he had any advice he can give me for a tournament rookie both excited and nervous to be heading down. The very next day, he wrote back and offered to call me so we can talk in person. Awesome! I gave him my # and he wrote back asking what times would be good to call and I said evenings would be great.

Bernard called me two weeks later this past Thursday night at around 10:30pm. He sounded somewhat tired, and I remember reading he was playing in Los Angeles for a World Poker Tour event the next day so I really appreciated the time he took to call, although he first said sorry for taking this long to contact me.

He asked if I read any poker books and I mentioned I've read about a dozen or so, including the books by Dan Harrington and Phill Hellmuth. Hilarious that I said Hellmuth's book wasn't that great, to which he replied it was "junk" which sort of made me laugh inside. He said Harrington's Vol 1 book is excellent, and recommended I read TJ Clouthier's No-Limit and Pot-Limit championship book. He said he reads it before a big tournament and keeps it at his bedside, which is hilarious because for the two years I borrowed that book from Alex, I'd read a chapter or two before heading to sleep as it is one of my favourites.

For the tournament itself, he said he's going to be in Vegas for a ten day period and will be playing in the exact same tournament I'll be in! He told me he expects about 2,000 or so participants, and he recommended I take the time a day before to visit the Rio (this is the casino that is hosting all the World Series events) to watch a tournament in play so I don't get overwhelmed by all the bright lights and spectators that seem to watch your every move. Bernard also told me, while trying to explain he doesn't want to sound like a peddler, he's going to be teaching a 3 hour poker class the day before our tournament and if I'm interested I can participate. He was upfront and said it isn't free; $200, but he also said if I'm the only one that shows interest he'll take me on at the same price as he charges upwards of $1000+ for a private lesson. He also said if he busts out first, he'll come by to see me play and be a coach from the sidelines. Sweet! Bernard seemed genuine and very enthusiastic about the whole thing. He mentioned he has a number of people he contacts by email, some that want to be full-blown pros with the appropriate bankroll, others such as myself with just one shot at a dream and he respects that. Either way, he said he'd like to meet me in person and to contact him a couple of weeks before I head down to Vegas.

Bernard also talked about how the World Poker Tour has recruited him to be a teacher at their WPT "Boot Camp", where players pluck down several thousands of dollars to be taught by pros and he is also on a Boston radio station Tuesday nights doing a show about poker. He told me he's going to start officially calling himself a pro once he plays at the $10,000 buy-in Main Event tourney as right now he still holds down a full-time job.

I will likely take part in his class the day before the tournament...the experience I think will be worth it and having a pro on your side can only help. Not too many people know who Bernard Lee is, but he is very well respected in poker circles, and maybe once he earns that "sweet piece of jewellery" as he calls it, a WSOP bracelet, more people will pay attention.

The conversation ended with his cell phone cutting off, but he called me back quickly saying it's probably a sign he should be heading to sleep. I thanked him for the phone call, wished him luck at the WPT and told him he made my day with his call.

Vegas can't come too soon!