WSOP 2005 - Two Hands for Mimi Tran

  It was the final table at the World Series of Pokers Atlantic City circuit event, and Mimi Tran was playing tight. As usual for the final table, the game was No-Limit Texas Holdem, and Tran had stayed out of the majority of pots, seeking the right hand to make an aggressive move. The final table was a mix of seasoned pros and new comers, and hometown hero Nicky Frangos.  The Robin Hood of Poker, Barry Greenstein, watched from the crowd of spectators, keeping an eye on his pupil Mimi Tran. She has limped in a few hands, making calls or checking on the Big Blind, but had not committed beyond the Flop at all. Tran is known as a tough cash game player, and it makes one wonder if the lack of strong starters was starting to wear on the 44 year old pro.  In the first hand she committed to, she faced off against Nicky Frangos with blinds of 8,000 and 16,000. Her Pocket cards were:Frangos held:  Tran felt enough confidence in her hand to bet 50,000 chips. To her credit she did not blink when to her left Frangos moved all in.  The pot stood at 202,000 and Tran called. Once the pocket cards were face up on the felt, Greenstein seemed uncomfortable with the move.  The Flop was:  It gave the advantage to Frangos with a Pair of Kings.  The Turn was:The only thing that could save Tran now would be a third 9.  The River was:giving the pot to Frangos.  A few hands later Frangos and Tran found themselves at odds again. This time Frangos was in position to act first, and with:He raised the pot to 46,000. Tran looked at her pocket pair:She moved all in.   With the Flop bringing:  Frangos was sitting on a pair of Aces and had a Royal Flush Draw. The Turn brought:  The only hope Tran had of beating Frangos high straight would be for a Queen to come on the River, splitting the pot.  It wasnt to be. The River was:  It knocked out Mimi Tran in 4th place, with a prize of $189,210. Only Greenstien and Tran will know for sure if impatience and frustration won out over Trans professionalism.