What is it like to play in the World Series of Poker?

Jeff Smith, a recent entrant in a $1,500 Buy in Texas Hold 'Em No Limit event in the World Series of Poker, had some interesting experiences including sitting across from one of the best players in the world.

“The level of people that play is amazing,” Smith said. “As a matter of fact I sat down with (2004 WSOP Player of the Year) Daniel Negreanu and took $2,500 from him. I sat right across from him, that’s intimidating.”

Smith even remembers the first hand he had while at that table.

“I had Queen-Ace suited against Negreanu,” he said. “It was really funny because on that hand they had just moved me to the table and I had a nice stack of chips. So I’m trying to settle in and get my chips right and I was already in the hand because I was in the blind. I just looked at my cards, I didn’t even pay attention to the people that were at the table, it was good cards so I went in for $2,500.
"Negreanu and one other guy went in with me. On the flop there was a queen, I felt pretty secure and went in with another $2,500, that’s when Negreanu and the other guy both folded and I won the pot. That’s when I looked up and realized who I was playing against, that’s when I stopped playing."

Smith says the tournament is a completely different experience than the biweekly game he has with his friends.

“Every hour the blinds go up,” Smith said. “It’s extremely professional. You get a few breaks in between but for the most part you are playing poker for 10 hours. Your level of play also increases. I think I played some of the best poker I’ve ever played in my life, nothing like the back-yard poker we play here. You can’t play the same game with your friends."

Smith, who finished 148th in the tournament, remembers exactly what hand knocked him out.
"I went all in with a Q-10," he said. "Normally, under the circumstances, would have been a good hand. Unfortunately, he had K-10. A 10 came up on the flop so we each had a pair of 10s but he had the higher kicker and that held up.”