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NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. (CP) - A night of poker. For a good cause. With Dan Marino.
Who could say no?
The Hall of Fame quarterback was the marquee personality at this week's John Congemi Aces and Aces Celebrity Golf Poker Classic and poker tournament at Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, in support of local Niagara-area charities.
Golf is Marino's game - he's a scratch player. But that didn't prevent him from making some noise during the three-hour No-Limit Texas Hold 'Em poker event. I had a close-up view, sitting next to the Miami Dolphins legend. My chips lasted just 45 minutes, but that was plenty enough time to savour the roller-coaster ride that is the Dan Marino poker experience.
Standing six foot three and sporting a bronze tan, the 44-year-old made his presence felt before a card had even been dealt, sauntering to the table with a smile on his face and a wine goblet in his hand. His boyish looks defy his age, while his chiselled physique suggest he could still suit up for the Dolphins if he wanted to.
He did his part to interact with those who had paid a handsome sum for the opportunity to golf and play poker with a host of sports celebrities. Marino chatted briefly about his golf round (highlighted by three birdies en route to a 3-over-par 75), and gave his early favourites for the Super Bowl (Cincinnati in the AFC, Carolina in the NFC).
When the cards finally came, the NFL's all-time passing leader was all business.
"Watch me not know what I'm doing and still kick your (butts)," he joked.
Marino backed up that statement on the first hand of the tournament, busting a player by landing a full house, kings over aces. His shell-shocked victim - who lost despite having a full house of his own - could only lumber away from the table, while Marino offered a little wave and a "See you later!"
My goal was to last as long as possible, even if it meant folding hands I would normally play.
Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about that, since the cards I was drawing were better suited for Hearts than for Hold 'Em. While I wondered if I was ever going to see a face card, Marino busted Congemi, sending the event organizer and former Argonaut quarterback (like Marino, a Pitt grad) packing.
While Marino was cleaning up with strong hands, he was also overplaying weaker ones - a major flaw among the majority of novice players. Had I been dealt even moderately better cards, his chips might have found a new home.
My only chance to talk to Marino came late in our tournament lives, when I realized I was rapidly losing chips. I debated asking him about his role in Ace Ventura ("What's Jim Carrey really like?") or whether he felt cheated that he never won a Super Bowl.
Finally, I settled on something simpler.
"So do you like the moves the Dolphins made in the off-season?"
"Yeah, I do," he replied. "They'll be fine."
"(Quarterback) Daunte Culpepper has looked really good."
"Yep, he has," Marino said. "They'll be fine."
The face of the Dolphins was bounced out of the tournament on the very next hand. He made a strong opening bet with a pair of eights, then went all in after the flop.
"Do you have a hand?" I asked.
"Yup," was his reply.
His all-in bet was quickly called, and his opponent revealed two pairs, aces and nines. The turn and river cards were no help to Marino, and just like that, the event's marquee celebrity was on his way out. Marino grabbed his wine and slowly rose from his chair, shaking hands with everyone at the table. I was ousted two hands later after failing to connect on a flush draw.
Notes: Jim Schliebel captured the tournament title, with Joe Dirisio placing second and Ted McIntyre third. Retired goaltender Grant Fuhr was the top celebrity finisher, placing seventh. U.S. speed skater Dan Jansen wound up 10th. ... The chair event also featured Hall of Fame forward Stan Mikita, "Miracle on Ice" captain Mike Eruzione, Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien and former Chicago Bears quarterback Jim McMahon. ... Niagara Fallsview will host a pair of World Poker News Tour events in October, marking the tour's first foray into Canada. The WTP Canadian Poker Open goes Oct. 22-24, followed by the North American Poker Championship Oct. 24-28. The finals for both events will be held Oct. 28 and 29, respectively.
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