It was the memory of a lifetime for the father-son duo of Chad Smith and Chad Smith Jr. after they both made a run to Day 2 of the WSOP Choctaw Main Event. Traveling to play poker has forged a unique bond for the pair from Plano, Texas, and Chad Sr. has enjoyed a front-row seat to the development of his young son's love for the game.
"Most dads around here go hunting with their son," Chad Sr. said in an interview after the two busted out on Day 2. "I play poker with mine and I love it because I have watched him grow over the last year. The life skills and the critical thinking it teaches him are going to pay dividends later on in life."
The $1,700 Main Event at WSOPC Choctaw drew 1,017 entries for a prize pool over $1.5 million. 'Not everybody approves'
Chad Sr. bowed out in 78th for $4,112 and Chad Jr. hit the rail in 101st for $3,717. It's another step in their journey to learn and grow within the game they love.
"Over the last year, we've spent over 1,000 hours together, traveling and playing in different tournaments," Chad Sr. said about their unique lifestyle together.
The tournament poker circuit may not be the lifestyle for every young poker player, but it has been a chance for the two to spend time together — even if it's while gambling. "Not everybody approves, but that's ok," Chad Sr. said, adding, "I approve and I'm proud of him [Chad Jr.]. He does a fabulous job."
The younger Smith enjoyed some early luck and his dad was eager to share the story of a deep run at the beginning of this journey. "The greatest thing was last year, two months into his poker career — we final tabled a multi-flight 900-person tournament. We never met for two days until we met at the final table."
They finished fifth and seventh and it was, as Chad Sr. said, "a memory we'll cherish forever."
"I thought it was really good... oh, playing poker you just final table all the time," Chad Jr. said, acknowledging that reality set in soon after. "But you don't."
The road has taught the pair some lessons about life and poker, and while the big win still remains out of reach for now, the two are enjoying their progress and the time together on the road.
"We made Day 2 today, that was our goal," Chad Sr. reflected. "We didn't quite get there but, hey, two top 100 finishes, I'll take it."
The WSOP Circuit rolls on next week with a visit to Harrah's Cherokee in Oklahoma from August 1-12.
