When discussing the greatest accomplishments in World Series of Poker history, Dan Harrington’s name often rears its head. After all, ‘Action Dan’ made consecutive final tables in 2003 and 2004 against monster, elite fields. He himself deemed the making of any of those final tables ‘harder than winning ten years ago’.
Still, it’s plausible that Harrington’s getting recognized for the wrong achievement. In 1995, Harrington paid entry to two tournaments; a single-table satellite he’d eventually win en route to winning a bracelet in $2,500 NL Hold’em, and a Main Event Supersatellite, through which he’d qualify for the Main Event he’d go on to win. Four tournaments; two bracelets; never eliminated. It may be the greatest individual Series any player has ever had.
Harrington was one of three players to win two bracelets that year, joining Men “The Master” Nguyen and Hilbert Shirey, both of whom are still playing today. Also winning bracelets were Berry Johnston, John Bonetti, Steve Zolotow and Mickey Appelman, but the name that grabbed the most attention was Barbara Enright; she became the first –and to this point only—woman to make the final table of the Main Event.
Once Enright was gone, it was all Harrington. The attorney-turned-professional chess player had a sizable lead on Torontonian attorney Howard Goldfarb in the final after they’d dispensed of 1992 world champion Hamid Dastmalchi and Brent Carter. Once there, Harrington played a brutal psychological game.
While Goldfarb tried to engage Harrington in idle chat, Action Dan clammed up. The resulting nervous energy Goldfarb had at his disposal was routed towards smoking and eating. He was doing both when he lost the final hand of the tournament.
Goldfarb started the action by raising the T15,000-T30,000 blinds to T100,000. Harrington called on the strength on his 9d-8d and the flop came 8c-6d-2c. Harrington checked to the impatient Goldfarb and got what he was looking for; Goldfarb moved all-in with just ace-high. Harrington made the call and won the tournament when the turn and river came Qs-Qh. It was the completion of a historic achievement.
Gary Wise
gary@wisehandpoker.com
