Every Moment Matters

Shamus

As we approach the last break of the evening, Marcel Luske is currently telling his table a story about a hand he played back in the 2004 World Series of Poker Main Event versus Greg Raymer. It's a hand that Raymer has spoken of since as one of his favorites from that year, and a crucial one that helped lead to his eventually going on to win the Main Event bracelet that year.

"It was just before the break," Luske said. "And I was the chip leader. I had ace-king and raised to 30,000, and then he just suddenly moved all in for 300,000." The other players at the table leaned in a little closer to hear the story better.

"I looked at those glasses," said Luske, pointing to his own eyes as he spoke. He was referring of course to the crazy lizard-eye glasses Raymer famously wore during his 2004 Main Event run. "And I just said forget it and I called. I wasn't thinking. And he had aces."

Raymer would go on to win that hand, and as Luske explained grab the momentum that eventually carried him to the title. (Luske would finish 10th.)

"It's just that one moment," said Luske, holding up his fingers as if to measure something very small. The conversation broke off, however, as players turned their attention to the dealer dealing the next hand.