Poker: It's more madness back in Aruba for WPT

No, it's not a re-run of Phil Gordon's excellent adventure -- the World Poker Tour returned to Aruba for its season-two stop on May 12. Same place, same sun, different players. If it seems familiar to you, don't worry -- Erick Lindgren's in that boat with you.

There wouldn't be hula dancing, crazy off-the-felt bets or impossibly tall guys ruling the day in the 2004 Ultimate Poker Classic. Still, Erick, better known as the "American Idol" or "E-Dog," is a buddy of my fave Danny Negreanu, and one incredibly cool cat. No doubt he was having flashbacks to the Grand Prix de Paris, and looking for redemption. Hey, he was already one up -- he wasn't stuck at a table with George Paravoliasakis again.

Still, to get his win he'd have to go through an impressive Swedish online player, an Irish restaurateur, a guy who may or may not have been a refugee from the Witness Protection Program (I think that's the first Vince Van Patten joke I've actually liked), and some other colorful characters.

Here's how it all began:

1. Anthony Fagan, $907,000 2. Barry Shulman, $792,000 3. Ted Harrington, $763,000 4. Daniel Larsson, $743,000 5. Erick Lindgren, $633,000 6. Rick Casper, $536,000

Obviously, "E-Dog" had some work to do. In fact, everyone had some work to do, as most of the treacherous all-in bets in the first hour of play were won by those who'd gone all-in. And if that wasn't happening, everyone was lying and bluffing their way through things. In fact, Anthony was caught on tape lying to Erick after a hand, claiming he'd held A-Q when he didn't have anywhere near that.

(This would, of course, start a dislike from yours truly to the Irishman. You don't ever mess with somebody I happen to respect unless you want to suffer for it. See Phil Hellmuth's trip to Aruba for evidence.)

Finally, things started to happen. Rick Casper had promised his fiancee that if he finished in the top three they would get married in Aruba. Well, that wasn't going to happen, as Daniel sent him over the rail, beating Rick's pair of 9's with a pair of jacks that became trips on the flop. Mike and Vince's constant reminders of a wedding in the balance were mercifully over thanks to the Swedish whiz. (For the record, they got married anyway.)

Next on the list was Ted Harrington, who should not be mistaken at all for my muse, Desmond Harrington. Whereas the latter's last role was playing a hotheaded detective that truly grabbed attention, the former would've had more going on if he'd been replaced by a log. He was so tight that he never really played any hands, even folding a pair of tens at one point. This is where I started intoning, "And Ted folds," before Vince even said it.

Eventually, the antes and blinds chipped away at Ted's stack before Anthony moved in for the kill. Ted made his stand with A-6, but Anthony held A-J. Daniel hung around with 9-8 for a bit but then bolted after a flop of Q-J-4. After the turn was a 3 and the river a 7, Ted's day was done. Maybe he'll perk up after he's had some coffee at the bar. I don't know.

(Not like Anthony, Mr. "Let's Take 20 Minutes To Make A Laydown," was any better. Anthony, I'd love to see you meet the WPT Action Clock, I really would.)

Barry Shulman is something of a name in poker, since he controls the well-read Card Player Magazine, but he was next to be fish food. He matched a pair of 10's against Erick's Big Slick -- not a bad move at all. Unfortunately, the deal went 9-K-K-8-9, saving Erick with trip kings. Barry can go back to being one of the sportswriters. I don't think we've seen the last of him. Still, it seemed trips was the hand of the moment.

This left the Irish procrastinator, the Swedish marvel, and the American Idol to duke it out. Fittingly, it was my pick to win it all that finally kicked Anthony out of contention. His A-K held up against Anthony's J-6 and after repeatedly being bullied by the chef, Erick made a stand and it paid off.

Here, yet again, was another interesting heads-up: the WPT 2004 Player of the Year against the Internet phenom. It was, unfortunately, a very quick showdown. Erick gambled, pitting his Q-3 against Daniel's A-K. Erick had been a card rack all day, catching bullets (two aces) three times, for example. Luck was again kind to him. It went Q-7-4-3-8, and "E-Dog" finally had his day.

Final standings from the sun:

1. Erick Lindgren - $500,000 2. Daniel Larsson - $300,745 3. Anthony Fagan - $194,230 4. Barry Shulman - $112,780 5. Ted Harrington - $68,920 6. Rick Casper - $43,860

It was nowhere near as fun as the previous year's Aruba battle (then again, what would be?), but this tournament was worth the time, if only to see another of poker's good guys rise up and have his moment. The WPT Championship field is shaping up: Paul Phillips, Hoyt Corkins, Noli Francisco and now Erick Lindgren will be among the potential WPT champions. You ask me, I don't think we're done having fun yet. And the American Idol is certainly entitled to his share of it.