Today is a day I wait for all year long. The private invitation Texas Hold 'Em tournament in Las Vegas. I've attended every year since 2003. I even missed my fathers funeral to attend one. As they say in Vegas, the house always wins. I've told you before, that on Planet Falcon, Falcon always wins.

Today will be no different.

As I step off my private jet with the beautiful Sara on my arm, something is in the air. What it is, I don't know. What I do know, is something is different. That's not unusual. You can visit Vegas in March and go back in April and there's always something different. The town always changes. As they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

We descend the stairs and are immediately greeted by our limo driver.


”Mr. Falcon.”


He removes his hat.


”Mrs. Falcon. My name is Dave, I'll be your driver during your stay.”

”What time is it, Dave?”

”3:30 in the afternoon, Mr. Falcon.”

”What time does the tournament begin?”

”5 pm sharp!”

”I'd suggest then, we better get a move on if I want that center seat at the table.”

”Indeed, sir.”


He does what any driver does and opens the door for us. Sara and I climb into the limo and within a few seconds, we're on our way to the strip.


”Are you nervous?”

”Have you ever known me to be nervous?”

”No. But, I am.”

”What's to be nervous about? I'm undefeated. I've never lost a tournament. That's not likely to change, ever.”

”Yeah, I guess you're right. But, still...”

”But, what?”

”I... I don't know. Something seems different. Seems off. I have a gut feeling.”

”You're not pregnant, are you?”


She looks at me with an odd look.


”Hell no!”

”Good. I don't like to share. Not my money...”

”Our money.”

”And certainly not you.”

”Just be careful tonight. I don't like this feeling I have.”

”Relax, baby doll, Sean Falcon doesn't lose.”


She was unusually quiet during the rest of the ride into Vegas. As I entered the private room inside the MGM Grand, I noticed, and much to my chagrin, that someone else had my center seat. Naturally, I tried to buy it but the man wouldn't budge and wasn't selling.

Damn. That's my lucky seat.

Then again, I don't need luck. Luck is for losers and Sean Falcon, as stated a million times, is not a loser. It's just a shame Shawn Hero, my new found friend and protege couldn't be here to witness my glory. My triumph.

Oh well, he witnesses it every damn day that he's in my presence.

Down to three. Myself, of course. A woman who played well but just stupidly went all-in. And the guy that wouldn't sell me his seat. The River card is turned over and its another Sean Falcon win. The woman is eliminated and its just me and the other man. He's ahead in chips by about a million or so. He's certainly a smart player. Now that its just the two of us left, he's about to find out he's met his match.

This tournament won't last passed the next two hands. I'm going to go all-in. He'll match, and lose. I'll be ahead in chips. He'll go all-in to get some of it back. I'll match him, then he'll lose. He'll be the 11th straight tournament loser to Sean Falcon. Nothing new. Again, like they say, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Here comes the deal. I get a pair of deuces. We bet to stay in, as normal.

The Flop comes and its 7 8 and Jack of hearts. We both bet to stay in again.

The Turn card is flipped over. King of hearts. He goes all-in.

Damn. I didn't expect that. Even though he has more chips, I can go all-in too and its considered a matched bet. I like to best the highest bet. I turn to Sara sitting behind me.


”Sara, get Greenberg on the phone.”

”What? Why?”

”Just do it.”


About a minute later, I'm on the phone with my attorney, Paul Greenberg.


”I need you to transfer my entire fortune to the cages at the MGM Grand in Vegas........................ Yes, I know the risk....................... Not just the cash, Paul. The houses. Cars. Jet. All of it................................................................. Listen, you work for me! Not the other way around! Now do it!.............................................................. Good!”


It took about five minutes, but I got the confirmation. Nearly every last cent I have is now available for me to spend.


”All in.”

”Sean! No!”

”Sara, relax baby doll. I got it covered!”


The dealer stares at me. The room falls completely silent.


”Mr. Falcon, are you sure?”

”Absolutely, I'm sure. I'm betting it all.”


The chatter amongst the spectators does not deter me. I hear choice words. Stupid. Unbelievable. Things like that. Now, the man folds. Guaranteed. He wouldn't want to be responsible for taking a mans entire fortune. It's a code of honor, respect among fellow players. Of course, I've never been that way. Others have done that against me and I've gladly taken their fortune.


”Mr. Falcon, that's over 400 million dollars. Are you sure? This is your final chance to back down. If you say yes and I hit this button, your entire fortune is at stake here.”


I sense hesitation in myself for the first time ever. Of course, I blow it off.


”Hit the damn button, so he can lose and we can get out of here!”


CLICK


There it is in lights. My gigantic fortune is on the line.


”Mr. Rivera. This is against the rules, but I'll allow you to withdraw your all-in bet. The choice is yours.”


The man, Mr. Rivera, taps his fingers against the felt covered poker table. He's going to withdraw and fold. He thinks I'm about to reveal I have the Royal Flush. Of course, its the biggest bluff in gambling history. A pair of deuces ain't sh*t.

Then he does the unthinkable.

He pushes all of his chips toward the dealer. He's staying in!

The River card is flipped and its the Ace of hearts.


”Gentlemen, lay down your cards.”


I lay down my cards to reveal my deuces. He smiles at me and lays down his cards.


”MOTHER F**K!”


He lays down a suited 10 Queen....... of hearts..... The son of a b*tch had a Royal Flush! I hear Sara gasp behind me.


”Sean, you didn't!”


Men all over the room start congratulating Mr. Rivera on his gigantic win. Instantly, I throw up all over the table. The fortune that has been built up by my father and grandfather over the course of the last seven decades..... gone in an instant...