Poker Player/Songwriter offering WSOP Cash to Song Downloader’s
February 16, 2010
Jason Mershon is an award winning songwriter and a professional poker player. He has released a new song that was written about poker called ‘Playin Poker for a Livin’ and to promote his new song, Mershon has decided to do something a little different.
Mershon is going to compete in the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event. Mershon has stated that he will share 50% of any Final Table winnings he may earn with the first 15,000 people who download and purchase his song “Playin’ Poker for a Livin”.
The new song can be listened to at www.playinpokerforalivin.com and the lyrics are listed on the site as well. Those who want to download the song for a chance to win a piece of his final table winnings, that is if Mershon makes it to the final table, must pay $1.49 to download the song. The Limited Edition of the song will be available until June 30th 2010.
Mershon stated that this offer is his way of saying thank you to his fans that like the new song. Mershon stated: “"I wrote the song to humorously tell what it's really like being a professional poker player; the sarcastic attitudes of many professional poker players; and the monotony of actually playing poker for a living and grinding out the long hours in a casino card room."
Mershon stated that he knows it is tough to make the Final Table of the Main Event but somebody has to make it. Mershon has won smaller poker tournament in California and Las Vegas so he thinks it’s time for him to participate in the WSOP.
The offering by Mershon is an excellent way to promote his new song and if it catches on who knows maybe it will become the theme song for poker sites and pros everywhere. Go check it out for yourself at the song’s website and see what you think and if you get there quick enough and purchase the song you may find yourself a richer poker fan.
TJ Cloutier’s 2005 WSOP Bracelet on Auction at Ebay
January 20, 2010
Ever wanted your very own WSOP bracelet? Well here's your chance, according to an ad at eBay, where the seller claims to be selling an authentic, 2005 World Series of Poker $5k No Limit Bracelet, acquired directly from three-time WSOP champ T. J. Cloutier. The kicker is that the seller is a Pawn Shop in Plano, Tx, just about 6 miles from Cloutier's home town of Richardson, Tx.
It is true that Thomas James Cloutier did win the 2005 WSOP 5k No Limit Hold'em event, where he claimed one of his six WSOP bracelets, along with over $650k. Cloutier gained his first WSOP bracelet in 1987 in the WSOP $1,000 buy-in Limit Omaha event. He landed 2 more bracelets in 1994 playing $1.5 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo and $2.5k Pot Limit Hold'em at the 25th Annual WSOP, with a combined total prize of nearly $300k. WSOP Bracelet number four was obtained in the 1998 $2.5k Limit Omaha Hi/Lo WSOP event, and Cloutier's 5th bracelet came in 2004 playing $1.5k Seven Card Razz. If this is indeed Cloutier's 2005 WSOP $5k No Limit Hold'em bracelet, it would be the sixth - and last - that Cloutier has won.
The starting bid on the possibly-genuine WSOP bracelet is $2,999.00 USD, and so far there are 0 bids. While the seller has an excellent track record at eBay - 100% Positive feedback out of 314 comments – it may prove difficult to ascertain the authenticity of the Plano, Tx pawn shop's claim before the auction ending date of January 24th at 1:34:57 pm PST.
The 2010 World Series of Poker will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the Rio Hotel & Casino. Several of the buy-ins for the WSOP events have been reduced from $1.5k to $1k, and many online poker rooms, such as PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker, hold satellite tournaments for the WSOP every year, in which you can compete for the chance to win your own WSOP bracelet.
Binions Historic Hotel Closing December 14th
December 1, 2009
A part of poker history is closing it’s doors on December 14th. Binions Hotel and Casino, located in Downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street is going to be closing their 365 room hotel for the foreseeable future.
Binions opened in 1951 and started experiencing financial troubles when Benny Binion’s daughter Becky Behnen took over in 1998. It closed in January of 2004 whren marshals seized cash from the casino to pay outstanding employee benefits.
The same year Harrah’s bought the rights to the WSOP and sold the casino to MTR Gaming Group as the Binion’s Gambling Hall and Hotel. TLC Enterprises has owned the hotel since March of 2008.
Binion’s was the home of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) until 2005 when the event grew too large for the hotel and casino to house and moved on to the Rio Hotel and Casino across town.
You will still be able to visit the casino, poker room, Ranch Steakhouse and sports book but if Binion’s is where you usually set up shop in Las Vegas you will have to book a room in a nearby hotel. Also closing until further notice are the coffee shop and keno parlor.
Binions is owned by TLC Enterprises the same company that also owns the Four Queens. Lisa Robinson, a spokesperson from TLC said, “We plan to reopen it, but we can’t speculate when that will happen. Las Vegas has been hit so hard with the dramatic drop in visitor spending and the average daily room rate has plummeted. Our hotel rooms were no longer competitive in the market. We had to make cuts where our biggest drains were, the hotel and coffee shop.”
The closures are a hard decision for the company to make, they can refer guests to stay in one of the Four Queen’s 700 rooms but where are the 100 employees losing their jobs going to go?
Cardplayer Exec Jeff Schulman Finishes WSOP FT in 5th Place
November 8, 2009
Schulman, 34 year old Las Vegas native won 5th Place in the 2009 World Series of Poker cashing for $1,953,395 in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main event.
Until now, Schulman was best known as the president of Card Player Media in the poker world.
In his final hand of the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event Final Table, Schulman shoved his WSOP stake into the middle of the felt with a wired pair of sevens, playing still a strong game of poker.
Saout makes the call with A9, pretty much a coinflip, 56% to 43% before the flop. A double here would give Schulman about 1/5 of the average chipstack.
The flop brought the end of Schulman's WSOP main event coming T96/
The turn was a queen, no help for either player.
Schulman still needed a straight card, or another 7. The river was a 4, and Schulman's season was over.
T96 Q 4
Darvin Moon, the chipleader at 12am PST, is now at 3am, the shortstack.
World Series of Poker Final Table Payouts
- $8 546 435
- $5 182 601
- $3 479 485
- $2 502 787
- $1 953 395
- $1 587 133
- $1 404 002
- $1 300 228
- $1 263 602
World Series of Poker – Phil Ivey busts in 7th Place.
November 8, 2009
Ivey hit the rail in the 2009 World Series of Poker in the same place he went to the final table in.
It’s 7th place for Ivey this year.
Ivey was busted out of the WSOP 2009 final table when his AK didn’t hold against Darvin Moon’s AQ. Fate wasted no time in letting Ivey know his 2009 WSOP event had ended, bringing Q-6-6 on the flop.
The turn and river were obviously no help to Ivey, a 3 on the turn and another brick, a 5 on the river.
What should have felt like a win to Ivey was delayed here for several months, turning tonight huge career cash into a what seems to be a 'mental loss'.
Phil Ivey, one of the most famous online poker professionals in the entire world, is just 32 years old, and a multi millionaire.
For his efforts at the 2009 WSOP final table, Ivey won $1.4 million in 7th place, prop bets aside. The other players at the final table will each take home $1.59 million .. . or more.
Have some time on your hands while you wait to hear what two WSOP players are going to go heads up? Join us in the BRAND NEW 4flush Online Poker Forum!
World Series of Poker Final Table Payouts
- $8 546 435
- $5 182 601
- $3 479 485
- $2 502 787
- $1 953 395
- $1 587 133
- $1 404 002
- $1 300 228
- $1 263 602
WSOP Winner Sally Boyer Sues Harrahs for False Advertisement
October 28, 2009
2007 World Series of Poker winner Sally Anne Boyer is suing Harrah’s and the World Series of Poker Academy for using her name and likeness in their advertising without her permission. She says that they are saying she endorses the academy.
She filed her suit on Monday at the Clark County District Court in Las Vegas against Harrah’s Operating Company INC, the owner of the World Series of Poker and Post Oak Productions Inc of Toronto.
So far neither Harrah’s or the Las Vegas office of the World Series of Poker have issued a statement about the suit. The WSOP Academy is currently promotion academies with prices from $1,899 to $2,999 dollars. Sally Boyer is from Midway, Utah and she won the 2009 World Series of Poker Ladies No Limit Hold’em Championship in 2007. She won $262,077 dollars, a World Series of Poker Bracelet and a Corum watch for the win.
In her lawsuit she says that soon after her win the WSOP Academy began “extensive marketing efforts” using her recent win to market the academy as being a success in tournaments. The lawsuit also says that the WSOP Academy educational business was launched in January 2007 by Harrah’s and Post Oak was to manage, produce and market all of the WSOP Academy events.
Boyer states that the WSOP Academy has published advertisements with her posing with her winnings saying she said "The quickest way to your WSOP Bracelet!," and calling her an "Academy Graduate." However she says she only one day of a two day WSOP Academy Event. She didn’t complete the course nor did she graduate from the academy. The lawsuit says:
"Boyer never said nor authorized a statement on her behalf to the effect that participating in the WSOP Academy was 'the quickest way to your WSOP Bracelet!' or intimating that her success in the tournament was attributable to her experience attending one day of a two-day WSOP Academy event”.
Win a Piece of Phil Ivey’s WSOP Main Event Winnings
October 13, 2009
In about a month the 2009 World Series of Poker’s Main Event will resume but you don’t have to be one of lucky final 9 players left in the event to get a piece of the prize pool anymore. Full Tilt Poker is running a new promotion and a few lucky players will be rewarded with a claim on the prize money that Phil Ivey will be
taking home.
To participate in the promotion all you need to do is head to the cashier then click on My Promotions. From there you will be taken to the registration page where you can officially sign up for a part of Phil Ivey’s prize money. Players can then earn entries into random drawings by how much they play and their player results. If you’re in a cash game and win a hand you will earn more then a FTP you will earn 5 tickets as well.
Tournament play is eligible as well if the tourney has 30 or less players and you make it to the money you will earn 5 tickets. For tournaments that over 30 people you will earn 20 tickets for making it to the money. A seat at the final table will get you an additional 50 tickets.
Your tickets can then used to enter into the raffle to win a seat at the sit and go tournament called 5 Percent Piece of Ivey. The 5 percent is of course unknown as no one knows how much Phil Ivey is going to be taking home. But even if he is the first to go home the prize pool would still be $63,180 dollars but if he takes first place the prize pool would go up to $427,321 dollars.
You can enter into other raffles with your tickets that award seats at other sit and go tournaments that award a different percentage of Ivey’s winnings at Full Tilt Poker.
World Series of Poker and ESPN Sign New Seven Year Deal
August 18, 2009
It has been reported by Fox Business that the World Series of Poker and ESPN have signed a new seven year broadcast deal. The new agreement will become valid as soon as the current deal expires which is the 2010 WSOP.
Jeffrey Pollack the president of Harrah’s Interactive Entertainment and the WSOP was quoted in a statement: “The WSOP is proud to call ESPN home for another nine years. This long-term agreement ensures that our content will continue to reach sports fans around the world through a wide variety of platforms.”
The new agreement will see ESPN airing a minimum of thirty two hours of WSOP footage on an annual basis. The footage will air on ESPN networks that include ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Classic. “We are very excited to continue our relationship with Harrah’s to deliver the largest, richest, and most prestigious gaming event in the world to fans across a variety of our platforms,” Doug White, senior director of programming and acquisitions at ESPN, said in a statement. “Poker continues to be a solid ratings performer for us and allows us to continue offering diverse programming to our viewers.“
The new contract has come as a surprise to some as the ratings have been down from previous years. The long commitment by ESPN to air the footage has been questioned by some. In 2008 the WSOP had an average of 1.13 million viewers which was up 15% from 2007. The 2009 WSOP has fallen by 8% from the 2008 numbers. However since the November Nine footage is now drawn out over the summer and not shown until November the ratings tend to go up during that time significantly.
“Despite some recent ratings decline, ESPN remains the strongest possible home for the WSOP. While other networks may have historically shown ratings blips for airing poker, ESPN already delivers a consistent base of the male demo the WSOP is trying to reach on a daily basis,” said Jeff Gagne, in charge of sports buying at MPG.
Just A Few More Days Till 2009 WSOP Airs on ESPN
July 22, 2009
It’s almost that time of year again, when the old World Series of Poker footage gets a break from regular rotation while the new footage gets a prime spot on ESPN. Poker fans have just a few more days before the footage of the 2009 WSOP begins to air on the sports channel.
The first WSOP event to air on ESPN will be the $40K event which was created to celebrate the forty years the WSOP has been in operation. Beginning on the 28th the $40k event will air for two hours on Tuesday and then two more two hour episodes will follow the $40k event, the Champions Invitational and the Ante Up For Africa charity tournament.
The Champions Invitational will air on August 4th while the Ante Up For Africa event will air on August 11th. The main attraction, the Main Event, will begin airing on August 18th and the Main Event will be shown every Tuesday from then on from 8 and 10pm ET. Each time it airs, fans will be able to watch two hours of footage. The Main Event footage will include each of the four Day 1 flights and two of the Day 2’s.
The Main Event coverage will continue until Day 8 is shown on November 3rd. then on November 10th the final table will be aired with a one hour preview show which will introduce viewers to the November Nine. The special will be followed by two hours of final table action. Viewers will be able to see the champion crowned just a few hours after the bracelet is awarded in Vegas, which is almost as good as being there!
Harrah’s Announces List of Players for Poker Hall of Fame Consideration
July 9, 2009
Harrah’s announced this morning the list of poker players that are up for consideration for the 2009 Poker Hall of Fame class. The list is ten players long with Phil Ivey, Mike Sexton and Tom McEvoy included on the list.
In a press release Harrah’s stated: “After a five week process that saw hundreds of votes cast weekly on WSOP.com, the public has made clear who they think should be inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. It will now be up to the current Hall of Famers and a panel of media members to determine who actually does join this exclusive club.”
Those who made the list were McEvoy, Ivey and Mike Sexton who was heavily promoted by Party Poker. Dan Harrington, Scotty Nguyen, Erik Seidel, Tom Dwan, Barry Greenstein, Men Nguyen and Daniel Negreanu finish out the list.
Harrah’s stated that the list of ten players consists of the top ten players voted on by the public. Harrah’s did not state which player earned the most votes from the public. Those who make the Hall of Fame will be added after receiving enough votes from the voting panel, which consists of the current members of the Hall of Fame and certain members of the Poker media.
The panel also has the right to vote for a person not on the public list so we may see new names added by the council. Members can vote as many players into the Hall of Fame as they would like but the only people who will be inducted will be those who receive 75 percent or more of the entire panel’s approval.
The players who are chosen to be added to the Poker Hall of Fame will be inducted during a ceremony that will take place at the Main event final table this November. It will be interesting to see which players voted on by the public will make the cut and if any players are added to the Hall of Fame that were not on the list.
Oldest WSOP Player Leaves Main Event to Standing Ovation
July 8, 2009
At age 96, Jack Ury of Indiana is the oldest player to compete in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Ury started his Main Event journey on day 1B Saturday and advanced to the second day before he was knocked out of the competition by Antonio Maestro on Tuesday. When he was eliminated he was honored by the other 1,476 players who stood and gave him a standing ovation at the Rio as he exited.
Many fans of Ury approached him seeking autographs and photos as his grandson, 32 year old Seth Harrold, escorted him from the tournament in his wheelchair. Ury’s eyesight and hearing are impaired greatly so his grandson was allowed to sit with him after permission was granted by tournament officials. Harrold helps his grandpa stack chips and communicate with the other players at the table. Harrold did not make bets or look at Ury’s cards.
Harrold commented on helping his grandpa, stating: “It’s fun and I know this makes him happy. Everyone at the table is respectful and he loves it. Usually we start preparing for this in March because he’ll talk about it all year.”
Ury started the day with 23,075 chips and after more than two hours of play Ury’s stack got down to less than 12,000 chips. He then called an all in raise with Ace-ten off suit against Antonio Maestro who had Ace-Jack off suit. Both players paired their aces but Maestro took the pot with a Jack kicker and Ury was eliminated.
Ury commented on the standing ovation he received on his exit. He stated: “I enjoyed it, especially because the people gave me such a good applause. The people were all rooting for me, I wish I could have won for them.”
Everyone at the table shook Ury’s hand as he exited the table. Ury commented that he didn’t have good cards. He stated: “Bad luck. I’m disappointed. I may not live another year, but if I do I’ll be playing.” Ury dreams of cashing out at the WSOP main event, something he has never done. He jokes that death will be the only thing that will keep him from the poker table. He stated: “They say you get lucky right before you die and I’m still here. I haven’t died yet, so my cards will come.”
Ante Up For Africa Begins Tonight
July 2, 2009
The 3rd Annual Ante Up For Africa tournament is set to begin tonight and celebrities and poker pros will be visiting the Rio to compete for a good cause. Annie Duke, Don Cheadle and Norman Epstein founded the Ante Up For Africa organization to benefit the citizens of the Darfur and Sudan region.
Ante Up For Africa has raised almost $2 million by hosting poker tournaments that are attended by a number of celebrities and poker pros. The charity poker tournament taking place tonight at the Rio will be star studded as well with such celebrities as Ben Affleck and Matt Damon attending.
Annie Duke commented that tonight’s tournament has a ‘wonderful’ list of celebrities. Mekhi Phifer, Jason Alexander, Charles Barkley, Brad Garrett, Hank Azaria, Montel Williams, Marlon Wayans and Sarah Silverman are also expected to compete tonight.
Celebrities will not be the only players sitting at the felt, many poker pros will be competing as well. Howard Lederer, Phil Hellmuth, Erik Seidel and Andy Bloch are just a few of the poker pros who will be participating.
Tonight’s event has a $5,000 buy-in and a fast structure that will finish the tournament in around four hours. The money raised will mostly go to the charity Refugees International as well as some toward the Darfur and Sudan region.
Duke commented: “It is important to me to show people that it is possible to make a difference for the people of Darfur. I am thrilled that this event has become such a success and that it will generate support for efforts by Refugees International, the Enough Project and others to end the crisis in Darfur.”
Ken Bacon, president of the charity Refugees International added “An event like this makes it possible for Refugees International to continue to demand action from the world’s leaders to provide basic assistance and protection to refugees in Sudan and around the world.”
Greg Mueller Joins List of Double Bracelet Winners at WSOP 2009
June 29, 2009
Three players have earned two bracelets at the 2009 World Series of Poker: Brock Parker, Phil Ivey and Jeff Lisandro. Now a fourth poker pro has been added to the double bracelet list: Greg Mueller. Mueller waited a long time to earn his first bracelet and now he has earned two during the 2009 WSOP.
Mueller had cashed out thirteen times during his foray into WSOP play but had not won a single bracelet, until this year. Event number 33 of the WSOP was the event where Mueller won his first bracelet. He won the $10,000 world championship limit hold’em event.
Mueller earned his second WSOP bracelet in event #50 which was the $1,500 limit hold’em shootout. Mueller won two tables in the shootout format to advance to the final table. Event #50 began with 572 players and the players were divided among 64 tables on day 1.
After making it past day 1, each player was guaranteed at least $4,350 but of course everyone’s eyes were on the top prize. When final table play began Mueller would compete against such players as David Williams and Marc Naalden. Each player would begin with 450,000 in chips so the playing field was even for all.
The first to be eliminated from the final table would be Jose Barbero and the pros would continue to be eliminated until only Naalden and Mueller were left. Mueller entered into heads up play with an almost 3-1 chip lead but Naalden would come back to take the lead.
The chip lead would go back and forth for some time until Mueller claimed the final lead. He built a 5-1 chip lead and on the final hand Mueller and Naalden were both all in but it would be Mueller’s top pair and a better kicker that would take the hand and his second bracelet of this WSOP season.
Final Results:
1. Greg Mueller — $194,854
2. Marc Naalden — $120,614
3. Mille Phung Shiu — $77,138
4. David Williams — $51,145
5. Matthew Sterling — $35,058
6. Flaminio Malaguti — $24,824
7. Joep van den Bijgaart — $18,136
8. Jose Barbero— $13,655
Jeffrey Lisandro Earns Second WSOP Bracelet This Summer
June 22, 2009
Jeffrey Lisandro is on a roll. Lisandro earned his first WSOP bracelet ever back in 2007 at the seven card stud event. Well just a short time ago Lisandro earned his second career bracelet during the 2009 seven card stud event. he has now won his third career bracelet, number 2 for this summer, in event number 37, the $10,000 Seven card stud eight or better event.
Lisandro became the third player of this year’s WSOP to earn two bracelets. Brock Parker and Phil Ivey have both been double bracelet winners this year as well. During event number 37 Doyle Brunson was trying to earn a record tying 11th bracelet but he was eliminated in seventh place.
Lisandro would have to face Farzad Rouhani in heads up play before he would earn his second series bracelet. The final hand played out as follows: Rouhani came in with a deuce and Lisandro completed. Rouhani raised and Lisandro re-raised. Rouhani then put in the fourth bet which Lisandro called. Both players checked Fourth Street.
Rouhani held (A spades 5 spades) 2 clubs 3 clubs 10 spades 2 hearts (K diamonds)
Lisandro held (6 diamonds 2 spades) 6 spades 10 clubs 10 hearts K hearts (5 hearts)
Lisandro bet on the fifth and Rouhani called. Lisandro’s tens put him in the lead and Rouhani was trying for a wheel draw. Rouchani would earn nothing to help and Lisandro would earn his bracelet.
Final Results:
1. Jeffrey Lisandro — $431,656
2. Farzad Rouhani — $266,804
3. Michael Wattel — $176,605
4. Frank Mariani — $124,684
5. Yan Chen — $93,513
6. Abe Mosseri — $74,258
7. Doyle Brunson — $62,234
8. Justin Smith — $54,896
Brock Parker Wins Two WSOP Bracelets in One Week
June 11, 2009
Event #14, the $2,500 six handed limit hold’em tournament, of the WSOP was won by Brock Parker. The win was Parker’s first WSOP bracelet an amazing feat in itself. After earning the bracelet, Parker entered event #19, the $2,500 six handed no limit hold’em tournament. After another stellar performance, Parker earned his second WSOP bracelet, all in just one week.
In event #19 Parker fought his way through the final table to face Joe Serock in heads up play. Parker was in the lead and the final hand went like this: Serock raised to 200,000 preflop and Parker reraised to one million. Serock rerasied all in and Parker called so it was game on!
Parker held Q spades and Queen of diamonds and Serock held Ten of diamonds and ten of clubs. The board came Ace of spades, seven of spades, two of clubs, king of clubs and queen of clubs. Parker won the hand and the gold bracelet making two for this week.
With both wins, Parker has now earned $776,433 in just one week of WSOP play. this is an amazing achievement and we should see Parker continue to succeed in any WSOP event he signs up for next.
Final Results:
1. Brock Parker– $552,745
2. Joseph Serock – $341,783
3. Russell Crane – $220,633
4. Jesse Rios– $148,661
5. Alex Wilson – $104,323
6. Clayton Newman – $76,123
Jason Mercier Wins First WSOP Gold Bracelet
June 4, 2009
Event # 5 of the World Series of Poker concluded yesterday with 809 players competing in the $1,500 pot limit Omaha event. Of all the many players competing, it was Jason Mercier who managed to outlast the field and take down the first place prize of $237,415.
Mercier has seen great success recently after starting a winning streak back in April of 2008. Mercier won the European Poker Tour San Remo stop he went on to cash out in fourteen different events. This bracelet win just goes to show how skilled Mercier is.
The first player to be eliminated from final table play was Vic Park. Park went up against Matt Giannetti who won the hand with kings knocking Park out in ninth. Next to go was An Tran who went up against Steven Burkholder. Tran lost the hand to Burkholder’s set of fives and gave Burkholder a good amount of chips as he exited in eighth place.
The next few to go would be Dario Alioto, Jonathan Tare, Chris Biondino and Matt Giannetti, in that order. That left Kevin Iacofano, Burkholder and Mercier to compete in three handed play. Iacofano decided to make a move and went all in which Burkholder called. Iacofano held K-K-J-3 against Burkholder’s Q-Q-9-4 with the board reading Q-10-5-6-8 Burkholder would take down the pot with a set of Queens and Iacofano would be out in third place.
On the final hand against Mercier and Burkholder, Mercier would limp in and Burkholder would raise which Mercier would call. The flop would see J-J-6 and Burkholder would bet which Mercier raised and then Mercier would go all in.
Mercier held Q-J-8-2 while Burkholder had A-A-J-7. The turn card was a Q and the river a K so Mercier would win the hand with a full house. This would be his first gold bracelet win.
Final Results:
1. Jason Mercier – $237,415
2. Steven Burkholder – $146,748
3. Kevin Iacofano – $96,128
4. Matt Giannetti – $66,544
5. Chris Biondino – $48,533
6. Jonathan Tare – $37,192
7. Dario Alioto – $29,882
8. An Tran – $25,122
9. Vic Park – $22,053
Thang Luu Wins WSOP Event #3 Second Year in a Row
June 2, 2009
Event #3 of the 2009 World Series of Poker has ended with a record breaking turnout and a record breaking win. 918 players posted the $1,500 buy-in for the Omaha 8 or better event, which were the most players ever for the event. What it is even more impressive is the fact that Thang Luu was able to win the event two years in a row as well as placing second in 2007.
This is the first time that a player has won back to back titles and runner up in a WSOP event since Johnny Chan did back in the 80s. Chan won the 1987 and 1988 Main Events and earned second in the Main Event in 1989. So now it is Luu’s turn to bask in the glory.
Final table play lasted six hours before Luu was named the winner. Luu claimed his title yet again when he went up against Ed Smith in heads up play. On the final hand Luu moved all in with Q-5-4 while holding Q-9-8-7. Smith made the call with J-9-9-3. The turn was a 5 and the river a 10 which gave Luu two pairs and the title win.
Luu commented on his recent win stating: “it feels even better than the last one. I think these kinds of $1,500 buy-in events are the best for me. There are a lot of new players in the (lower buy-in tournaments).” He also commented: “I know one thing for sure: I will play in this event every year from now on!”
Final Results:
1. Thang Luu ($263,190)
2. Ed Smith ($162,109)
3. Ming Reslock ($106,373)
4. Robert Price ($73,404)
5. Pascal Leyo ($53,293)
6. Jordan Rich ($40,611)
7. Jim Geary ($32,404)
8. Freddy Deeb ($27,028)
9. Senovio Ramirez ($23,520)
Vitaly Lunkin Wins $40,000 No Limit Hold’em Event at WSOP
June 1, 2009
The 2009 World Series of Poker added a special event this year to commemorate their fortieth anniversary. The new event was number two on the schedule and consisted of a $40,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament. Top pros posted the large buy-in vying for the first place prize of $1.8 million+. But it was Vitaly Lunkin who was able to outlast the field and beat Isaac Haxton in heads up play to claim the title.
When final table play began Haxton held the chip lead and would continue to play well the entire ten hours it took to name a winner. Ted Forrest would be the first player to be knocked out of the competition when he went up against Noah Schwartz. Forrest’s J-10 was no match for Schwartz’ pocket threes and he was knocked out in ninth.
Schwartz would not be able to hold on much longer though and he would be the next to go after going all in with A-K and being called by Greg Raymer who had pocket Aces. The Aces were too much for Schwartz and he was out in eighth.
This would start Raymer on a roll and he would knock out Lex Veldhuis in seventh then Haxton would knock out Alec Torelli in sixth and then Justin Bonomo in fifth. Now down to four players, game play would continue for some time before the next player would be eliminated.
After some time Dani Stern decided to go for it and went all in with Q-10 preflop. Stern was called by Haxton who held A-K. The board fell J-5-2-2-2 so Haxton’s Ace helped him seal the deal and knock Stern out in fourth.
Raymer would be next when he moved all in with pocket fives and was called by Haxton who held pocket nines. The board ran K-Q-10-3-3 so Raymer was out in third place. This left Haxton and Lunkin to duke it out in heads up play.
Haxton held a two to one chip lead going into heads up play which would last for two hours. Both Haxton and Lunkin would trade the chip lead for some time until Lunkin gained the final lead. On the final hand Haxton raised preflop and Lunkin called. The flop fell Q-10-8 and Lunkin went all in and of course Haxton called. Haxton held 3-8 and Lunkin had pocket Aces.
A 7 came on the turn and a King on the river was no help to Haxton who was knocked out in second place leaving Lunkin to claim the victory and the $1,891,012 first place prize.
Final Results:
Vitaly Lunkin - $1,891,012
Isaac Haxton - $1,168,566
Greg Raymer - $774,927
Dani Stern - $548,315
Justin Bonomo - $413,166
Alec Torelli - $329,730
Lex Veldhuis - $277,940
Noah Schwartz - $246,834
Ted Forrest - $230,317
Public Get First Chance to Vote for WSOP Hall of Fame Inductees
May 26, 2009
Nominations for the Poker Hall of Fame begin today and for the first time ever the public will be able to participate in the nomination process. Poker fans have from now until July 2nd to nominate a poker player for the list of possible inductees to the Hall of Fame.
Poker fans can visit the World Series of Poker website and vote for their favorite player. A submission can be made for one player and up to two hundred and fifty words can be used by the nominator to explain why they believe that player deserves to be in the Poker Hall of Fame.
Nominators do need to remember that there are certain criteria that must be reached before a player can be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The player must have played poker against acknowledge top competition, have stood the test of time and still have the ability to gain the respect of their peers. The player must also have played for high stakes.
Poker players are not the only nominations that can be made to be inducted. People who have contributed to the growth and success of poker with “indelible positive and lasting results” can also be nominated.
After the nominations have closed the committee of the Hall of Fame will review the nominations made by the public and decide if any others in the poker industry should be listed for possible induction. This will occur in August.
In September the final list of nominees will be sent to the sixteen living current members of the Hall of Fame. Those members will then rank the nominees in the order they believe they should be listed and only those who they believe should be inducted.
A small group of media members will also be sent a list to rank the finalists for induction. The Hall of Fame will then receive the list and create the final list. A nominee must earn at least 75% or more of the votes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place during the final table at the WSOP Main Event in November.
Dream Team Poker Event Added to 2009 WSOP
May 20, 2009
Dream Team Poker has only been around for a short time but in the time period the poker tournament series has become very popular. So much so that the World Series of Poker has taken notice and this year the WSOP will add a Dream Team event to their schedule.
The Dream Team will not be a bracelet event but it will be a different type of event for players to enter. The tournament will take place on July 12th and 13th at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino with a buy-in of $560 per player or $1,680 per team.
Jeffrey Pollack the WSOP commissioner commented on the addition of the Dream Team Poker event to the WSOP stating: “After seeing the terrific response to the recent Dream Team Poker tournaments in Las Vegas, we thought a team-based event would be a fun addition to the end of the WSOP. The Dream Team Poker event is one of the many new elements added in 2009 that will help make this summer a memorable one for all WSOP players and fans.”
Those who would like to compete on a team should go ahead and get their players together. The first three hundred teams who sign up on the Dream Team Poker website will receive personalized jerseys for their team to wear at the tournament.
Players who compete in a Dream Team Event are playing for individual prizes as well as Team prizes. So even if you do well but your team does not you could still earn a prize and vice versa.