It has not even been 24hrs since I received confirmation that my worst fear is a reality and my poker mentor is no longer with us. I just can't get my mind off the fact that Bill is not there anymore for me to make sure I played a huge tough hand correctly. I feel like I lost something big in my life and I just can't get over this. I feel like I lost a father. Maybe because we connected so easily (and the other student's I'm sure) and got along so well.
Bill was the most down to earth person you could ever imagine. I can't even type this without tears coming out of my eyes. I can't stop thinking about it. It is haunting me right now and I am so sad. Oh my god I wish he was still with us because I am living my dream right now, I can walk into a poker room and not worry about running good like I used to prior to 2011. Because of Bill, now I only think about making the correct plays against the correct opponents. I don't worry anymore about what cards I'm holding, I worry more about what my opponents range is. All because of how Bill taught me.
I am proud when regulars (good regular pros) tell me how much they respect me and tell me I am the best cash player at the sands and they are afraid to be in a hand with me. But it's not because of me. It's because I was taken under Bill's wing and he molded me into the player that I am today.
One of Bill's proudest moments was when he was asked to write
an article for CardPlayer Magazine. He was so excited that he was going to get national recognition as a poker coach. He was so proud and so was I. He even asked me to proof read his rough draft a few times. However, I thought to myself "omg now the games are going to get tough if everyone knows about him".
Bill Hubbard was a true genius. Bill had a complete lesson plan that started with his quiz to see how much we sucked, then he went right into preflop play, cbetting, creativity, and his big one was bet sizing. We spent hours upon hours on bet sizing which he emphasized was one of the most underrated aspect of the game but also the most important (not only for one street but for the whole hand) all the way to another one of his biggies advanced handreading - I sit there watching good pro's make calls when I know they are losing due to all the handreading sessions and my handreading skills. Then there were all his verbal quizzes to make sure I was comprehending what he was teaching me. He was so proud of me when I get them right. Bill had it all planned out like a genius.
Justin, I want to thank you for enticing this man to start coaching. Because now he didn't just die. He died a Legend.