The latest blogs from PokerListings.com http://www.pokerlistings.com/feed/blogs Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:33:44 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 en-us http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-33-cult-figure The Rio Hotel is always choked with railbirds when the Main Event of the World Series of Poker is happening.<br><br> On our way back from dinner, the PokerListings team witnessed 2007 ME champ Jerry Yang navigating a swarm of well-wishers, autograph hounds and amateur paparazzi-types.<br><br> Yang wasn't the only one, either.<br><br> Some earnest young fellow caught sight of Isaac "LuvtheWNBA" Haxton and made his move.<br><br> "Isaac, can I get a picture?"<br><br> Now, we like Haxton as much as anyone. He's a nice guy and a good poker player. But we wouldn't have suspected he was the type to have to deal with autograph hounds and rabid railbirds.<br><br> Apparently we're wrong, and congratulations to Haxton for attaining that level of fame.<br><br> Let us just say though, that when guys like Haxton are getting swarmed by fans at the WSOP, the poker industry doesn't have anything to worry about.<p> </p><p>We're all gonna get rich!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:21:02 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-33-cult-figure http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/top-5-wsop-main-event-heels The WSOP Main Event is the biggest poker tournament in the world, with thousands of players flocking to the Rio with the same pipe dream: to be the next World Champ. <br><br> With such a massive field, it's inevitable that every year all sorts of players make it deep: loudmouths, card racks, nits, professionals, and of course overzealous, hooting, fist-pumping amateurs. <br><br> Each year new icons of poker are made; some you love, some you hate. And some you really love to hate.<br><br> With the start of the ME today, it's time to pay tribute to a few players who have played the role of WSOP ME heel over the last few years.<br><br> Who will emerge as the defacto villain this year? We'll soon see. In the interim, these five reign supreme:<p><strong>5) Dmitri Nobles</strong></p> <p>This upside-down visor wearer took the Main Event by storm in 2006. He had a mountain of chips and wasn't afraid to put them in the pot. He also wasn't afraid to run that mouth of his.</p> <p>He went from being the chipleader, to almost out, to the chipleader and back seemingly all the time.</p> <p>It could have been the aggressive play. Or it could have been that he was just, well, terrible.</p> <p>In the end he talked and spewed his way out of the chip lead and couldn't recover, busting 76th.</p> <p>Some of his finest work here:</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/W0l3l13pPnE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/W0l3l13pPnE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p> <p><img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/global/external/tinymce/tinymce_3_2_0_2/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/media/img/trans.gif" /></p> <p><strong>4) Jamie Gold</strong></p> <p>Who can forget 2006 Main Event champion Jamie Gold?</p><p>Between his legal battles and his sometimes over-the-line table banter, Gold has to be one of the most controversial and least marketable Main Event Champions ever.</p> <p>Put it this way: he is the only Main Event winner without an online sponsorship deal.</p> <p>Even if somehow you overlook the fact that he hit every single card and ran hotter than the sun the entire tournament (I can't), his personality is undeniably a lightning rod for haters.</p><p>Given the vitriol from the poker community during the tournament and still now, three years after the fact, he's definitely a candidate for top WSOP Heel of all time.</p> <p>"I said top top!"</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kBABP1pUB18&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kBABP1pUB18&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p> <p><img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/global/external/tinymce/tinymce_3_2_0_2/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/media/img/trans.gif" /></p> <p><strong>3) Hevad Khan</strong></p> <p>Like him or lump him, the guy at least has some poker talent.</p><p>Since his 2007 final-table appearance, he's gone on to win the 2008 Caesars Palace Classic and cash in a ton of other tournaments.</p> <p>That still, in many people's eyes, doesn't quite make up for his deplorable behavior during his 2007 final-table run. Khan crushed red bulls, rambled, grunted, sang, danced and did pretty much anything for attention the entire week.</p> <p>Some say he was having fun. Others think he was an attention-seeking moron who made life unbearable for everyone around him. It may not have been that bad, but it was at least more than a little annoying.</p> <p>Since then he's cleaned up his act and plays a quiet, reserved game. But during that 2007 run, there was no player more annoying.</p> <p>Highlight reel:</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kh49fHFMUTg&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kh49fHFMUTg&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p> <p><img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/global/external/tinymce/tinymce_3_2_0_2/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/media/img/trans.gif" /></p> <p><strong>2) Humberto Brenes</strong></p> <p>Who doesn't like Huuuuuuuuumbeerrrrrttto?</p><p>As far as I know: almost everybody. Not only are his shark antics annoying at very best to players at his table, he often crosses the line to blatant slowrolling, waiting for the ESPN cameras to come over before calling all-ins with the pure nuts.</p> <p>If that isn't enough on its own, in spite of all his loudmouth behavior and slow-rollery he somehow manages to still be a gigantic nit.</p> <p>Daaaaaa chaaaark:</p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GnqFZVHb_90&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GnqFZVHb_90&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p> <p><img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/global/external/tinymce/tinymce_3_2_0_2/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/media/img/trans.gif" /></p> <p><strong>1) Phil Hellmuth</strong></p> <p>I'll probably catch some flack for this one, but I really don't care. Phil Hellmuth has to be top in the top 5 heels list.</p> <p>Phil crosses the line all the time. If he isn't telling everyone how great he is, he's telling someone else how awful they are.</p> <p>He gets away with stuff that no other player would be allowed to get away with because, well, he's Phil Hellmuth.</p> <p>Phil still unbelievably thinks he's the greatest player in the world - despite the fact that if he held an open cash game there would be a line of players that would stretch down Las Vegas Boulevard.</p> <p>For that reason alone, he's right at the top of the list of WSOP Main Event Heels.</p> <p>"Honey, Honey.."</p> <p><img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/global/external/tinymce/tinymce_3_2_0_2/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/media/img/trans.gif" /><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GVqCOhYGRL0&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GVqCOhYGRL0&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p> <p>There are plenty more candidates: Eric Molina, Aaron Kanter, Chris Moneymaker, Tony G etc, etc.</p><p>We don't have time for everybody, but feel free to post your favorite (least favorite) in the comments.</p> <p>Big one starts today, so keep it locked to <span>PokerListings</span> for wall-to-wall <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/live-tournaments/wsop' class=''>Main Event coverage</a>.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:32:49 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/top-5-wsop-main-event-heels http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/alex-bolotin-antes-up-for-africa Despite the fact that Alex Bolotin is not a celebrity or big-name poker player he decided to win the 2009 Ante Up for Africa on Thursday night anyways. <br><br> The diminutive Bolotin played larger than life at the final table and outlasted players like Erik Seidel, Jennifer Harman and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson to win the first place prize of $177,730. <br><br> Shortly after his victory Bolotin announced that he would be giving 50% of his winnings to charity in honor of the event. <br><br> "I'm really excited to win," said Bolotin. "I definitely got lucky but you have to get lucky in these events. It was great meeting all the celebrities and poker legends in this tournament." <br><br> Because the event carried such a shallow structure the final table was a fast-paced event that was mostly all-ins and coin flip situations. Heads-up against Adam Richardson lasted exactly one hand. <br><br> That's not to say Bolotin is not a skilled player, however. The Brooklyn-based grinder has 14 WSOP cashes and last year made three final tables.<p>This is the third year that Ante Up for Africa has been held with proceeds from the event going towards charities that provide aid and assistance to the survivors of the crisis in Darfur</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:59:49 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/alex-bolotin-antes-up-for-africa http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/stars-align-for-ante-up-for-africa-final-table Deciding to televise the final table of the Ante Up for Africa charity event may have been the smartest decision ESPN made this year. <br><br> The table is stacked with well-known pros including Jennifer Harman, Chris Ferguson, Erik Seidel, Phil Gordon, John Hennigan, Alex Bolotin, Rafe Furst, Matt Kay and Adam Richardson. <br><br> The nine players out-lasted 129 players including big name celebrities like Sarah Silverman, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to make it to the final table. <br><br> Harman, who was one of the short stacks to start the day, took the time to give some credit to the organizers. <br><br> "It is a really wild event," said Harman. "It's nice to see people come out and support the cause. It just shows that poker is a way of giving and we all really love that part of it." <br><br> Although most of the celebrities are gone Ferguson actually complimented their skill level earlier in the day.<p>"All these celebrities play poker anyways. All the celebrities I've seen here I've actually played poker with already. Ben Affleck is pretty good. He won the California State Poker Championship a few years ago."</p><p>Despite the kind words from Ferguson, the celebrities are all gone and the pros will be going at it for bragging rights tonight.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:42:44 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/stars-align-for-ante-up-for-africa-final-table http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/ante-up-for-africa-celebrity-gallery The third annual Ante Up for Africa charity poker tournament took center stage at the WSOP today and a who's who of A-list celebs and poker stars hit the felt for the cause.<br /><br /> Beyond the cash prizes, all proceeds from the $5k buy-in event go to the ENOUGH project and Refugees International, charities that raise awareness and provide aid to the survivors of the crisis in Darfur.<br /><br /> Over $2 million has been raised in past events by the non-profit AUFA, founded in 2006 by Don Cheadle, Annie Duke and Norman Epstein, and by the size of this year's turnout that number should go up substantially.<br /><br /> Just a few of the more recognizable faces: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Nelly, Sarah Silverman, Jason Alexander and Cedric the Entertainer.<br /><br/> See below for the photo gallery from the red carpet and the tables.<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p><p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p><p></p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:41:35 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/ante-up-for-africa-celebrity-gallery http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/2k-at-venetian-deep-stack So I guess I inadvertently lied to you all in my last WSOP blog. <br><br> I said I would be back in action on Saturday unless I played the limit shootout on Friday, but out of the boredom derived from the mixed game players having their way with the WSOP schedule last week I decided to head over to the Venetian. <br><br> They're running another one of their highly popular Deep Stack Extravaganzas, and on Friday they spread a $2k NL event. I expected a decent turnout, but since it was such a big buy in (relative to most Venetian prelims) and it wasn't a WSOP event I thought there would be around 200-250 players.<p>I even bet the under on a line of 298 players with my friend Joe "Joey Capp/Cappuccio816" Cappuccio. <br /> <br /> Now, I may play poker for a living, but I'm not a "gambler" in the true sense of the word. I don't play -EV table games, and you'll only catch me bet sports occasionally with friends.</p><p>I don't take prop bets that I'm not pretty sure I'm not going to win, because I HATE TO LOSE.</p> <p>However, when the field ended up at more than 420 players (seriously, I think it was 429...not just being funny), I was forced to pay that one.<br /> <br /> I distinctly remember giving updates to friends during the early stages of the tournament that said, "This is the most boring tournament of my entire life." We started with 20k chips at 50/100, with a pretty good structure that included almost all of the levels.</p> <p>I spent a solid six hours with my starting stack not going over 22k or under 18k. <br /> <br /> Since I registered late, I ended up with what you usually get when you do so ... a very tough table draw. "Charder30", "JBT449", and Cappuccio were all there (which at least made paying up the bet easy).</p> <p>Ten-handed at a tough table with deep stacks and no antes, you usually just need to play solid and wait for opportunities. The only playable hands I was picking up were small pairs and suited connectors, and literally every one of them would whiff the flop. But alas, patience is a virtue...<br /> <br /> I finally started to chip up halfway through the day, and after slowly building my stack up to 60k I ended up flipping with <span class="nowrap">J<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /> J<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /></span> all in against <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /> K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" />.</span> I won that hand, and ended up eliminating the same player when I turned Broadway with <span class="nowrap">J<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /> 10<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" /></span> against his top two pair in a huge battle of the blinds.</p> <p>Suddenly I had about a quarter of a million chips in a super-soft event with over $260k going to first place...mmmmmmm....juicy...<br /> <br /> I entered day two with 325k at 1200/2400 (300). I was third in chips with 65 players left, 36 of whom would make the money. Unfortunately, I hit the spew button pretty hard early in the day...followed by running <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /> K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /></span> into <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" /> A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" /></span> on the stone bubble for a 420k+ pot. Heh, I said 420 and pot in the same sentence without even trying...<br /> <br /> Anyway, I had a grand total of seven big blinds left after that hand. I managed to get into the money before busting out in 36th place with <span class="nowrap">2<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" /> 2<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" /></span> against <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /> Q<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" />,</span> thereby shattering my belief in the age-old philosophy that "deuces never loses."<br /> <br /> Screw them, they wouldn't have given me a bracelet if I won anyway! Back to the Rio...<br /> <br /> Matt Stout</p><p>&nbsp;</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:37:40 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/2k-at-venetian-deep-stack http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/top-5-celebrity-picks-to-cash-in-main-event Every year, a handful of world-famous celebrities pony up the $10k to take a seat in the World Series of Poker Main Event.<br/><br/> As of yet, the results have been as expected. For the most part, squadoosh. <br/><br/> No celebs have ever really made a deep run in the Main Event (save Telly Savalas back in 1992) and most have packed up their belongings and left very early in the proceedings.<br/><br/> With the pool of celebrity players growing each year, though, it's likely only a matter of time before that changes.<br/><br/> So in honor of the Ante Up For Africa Celeb event today at the Rio, here's my list of the most likely celebrities to make it in to the money this year:<p><strong>5. Jason Alexander</strong></p><p>Alexander seems to be a staple at the WSOP Main Events and Ante Up for Africa charity tournaments.</p><p>Although he hasn't had much success on the felt, despite his PokerStars pedigree, I feel this might end up being the summer of George.</p><p><em>Most notable poker finish: 2007 Ante Up for Africa (10th) $12,174.</em></p><p><strong>4. Norm MacDonald</strong></p> <p></p><p>Not only is Norm MacDonald one of the funniest human beings alive, he also is a semi-regular degen poker player.</p><p>MacDonald at a poker table has become somewhat of a common sight during WSOP months, and all that experience has to amount to something.</p> <p><em>Most notable poker finish: 2006 $1,000 NLE Weekly Bellagio tournament (3rd) $20,915.</em></p> <p><strong>3. Michael Phelps</strong></p> <p>When Phil Hellmuth tells the world that you're a "very good young player," and offers to introduce you around the poker community, you can feel pretty confident that you're somewhat legit.</p><p></p> <p>Phelps, Olympic medal record holder, also knows what it takes to be the best. If he's capable of using his intense focus, determination and competitiveness at the felt, he should have no problem out-swimming the rest of the fish.</p><p>The best news of all: there's no such thing as a drug test to compete in the WSOP.</p><p><em>Most notable poker finish: $1,500 buy-in Event 2 at </em><em>2008 Ceasars Palace Classic (9th) $5,000.</em></p> <p><strong>2. Ben Affleck</strong></p> <p>When Ben Affleck started getting into poker, he had some of the world's most respected poker professionals tutor him on his game.</p> <p>Unlike many poker amateurs, Affleck has never had a problem being aggressive at the tables. This, along with his multi-million-dollar net worth, helps him compete with the best at the felt.</p><p>Plus he was the bomb in <em>Phantoms</em>.</p> <p><em>Most notable poker finish: 2004 California State Poker Championships (1st) $356,400.</em></p> <p><strong>1.</strong><strong> Tobey Maguire</strong></p> <p></p><p>Even though he doesn't like to talk about it, Tobey Maguire is a regular poker player with the best tournament record of any other non-professional celebrity.</p><p>Not only has he cashed in a dozen tournaments, Maguire has made the money in a previous WSOP Main Event, coming in 292nd in 2007.</p> <p>If you can only pick one celebrity to make it deep in the WSOP Main Event (assuming he does play), Maguire is a solid pick.</p> <p><em>Most notable poker finish: 2004 $2,000 Phil Hellmuth Invitational (1st) $95,480.</em></p> <p><strong> </strong></p> <p>If you don't like the odds of someone on this list making a splash in the Amazon room, you can almost count on Montel Williams, Hank Azaria, Brad Garrett, James Woods and Ray Romano all to make an appearance.</p><p>Keep your hopes low for the <em>Everybody Loves Raymond</em> duo though. They kinda suck.</p><p>For more from the Ante Up For Africa event, check the <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/live-tournaments/wsop' class=''>WSOP section</a>.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:02:50 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/top-5-celebrity-picks-to-cash-in-main-event http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/mrs-donkey-bomber-blowin-up Julie Schneider has been playing poker since she was 17 or 18 years old. Somewhere along the way, she met Tom Schneider and the two married. <br><br> Tom would eventually make a name for himself in the poker world by winning multiple WSOP bracelets as well as Player of the Year in 2007, but today it might be Julie's turn to shine. <br><br> She is at the final table of the $2,500 Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw event. It just happens to be her favorite game and she's proving that she has the skills to compete at the highest level.<p>Julie has been having a better Series than Tom this year. This will be her second cash so far. We caught up to Tom while he sat on the rail showing support for his wife.<br /><br />"I have one [cash], and I've played a lot more than she has this year," he laughed.<br /><br />Julie has been around the poker community for a very long time both as a player and a dealer. She dealt poker for about 17 years and has been playing even longer. Tom taught her Deuce to Seven. He used to let her sweat him while he played in the $400/$800 Mixed game. <br /><br />"That's when she really started to love the game a lot."<br /><br />One might think that being married to a multiple-WSOP-bracelet winner is like having a wealth of information right at your finger tips but Julie has her own game plan.<br /><br />"She doesn't want to hear any of my ideas about poker. She has her own ideas about deuce to seven. It's her favorite game and she plays online all the time."<br /><br />Tom reluctantly answered who he thought was better, himself or Julie.<br /><br />"I think she is maybe slightly better than I am now."<br /><br />The two have played in many tournaments before and even started this Deuce to Seven event at the same table.<br /><br />"We asked them to move us because we didn't want to be at the same table. I think husbands and wives at the same table is a bad idea. It just doesn't look good."<br /><br />Tom said there were upsides and downsides to being in a relationship where both partners play poker.<br /><br />"It can be good, it can be bad. It's nice to have a wife who plays poker. If I play until six in the morning she doesn't think anything of it. That's very nice. A lot of women wouldn't tolerate a poker player's life, but she does and I would do the same for her."<br /><br />Just like any relationship, you have to take the good with the bad.<br /><br />"Bad beat stories can get a little old for both us," he laughed.</p><p>Check back to PokerListings.com often for the latest and greatest news from the 2009 World Series of Poker.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:33:49 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/mrs-donkey-bomber-blowin-up http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/stars-deal-oh-hi Since my first live tournament win at EPT San Remo in April 2008, nearly 15 months ago, I have been trying to do everything that I could to get sponsored by Pokerstars. Well, that day has finally come. <br><br> Everybody knows that it is very difficult for an American professional poker player to get a sponsorship nowadays. This is one of the reasons why this means so much to me. <br><br> I am very excited to be joining the Pokerstars team. I look forward to supporting the site and hope to continue to make final tables and win more titles, but now with the Pokerstars patch on! <br><br> It's been 10 brutal days of WSOP events since my last post. I played 11 events and bricked all of them. <br><br> I only made day 2 in the 2500 8 game mixed, in which I busted about 30 minutes into Day 2. I've taken some pretty horrendous beats in the last 11 events. The worst one was probably the 5k shootout in which I lost on the 2nd hand with 77 vs KK on a Q-T-7 board. Sigh. <br><br> Oh well, I got all my run bad out just in time for the main event. I can't wait to play it, really pumped about it. <br><br> I decided I'm going to play Day 1A because my best friend, Darko, is coming into town Friday night, so I'm going to want to chill and hang out with him during the 3 days off between day 1A and day 2A. <br><br> Main event shippage coming soon. Next blogpost will be after I play day 1.<p>-- Jason Mercier</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:04:50 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/stars-deal-oh-hi http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/no-girls-in-the-playing-poker-game They sell a lot of poker-themed gear in the gift shop at the World Series of Poker.<br><br> But you'd have to travel to Japan to pick up this beauty, which we found on Engrish.com.<br><br> It reads in its entirety:<br><br> "Man Friend's Rule No, 1<br><br> NO GIRLS in the playing POKER GAME<br><br> When the playing poker game is done, the thing to call girl is a prohibition. It is because the game becomes not interesting." [sic times infinite]<br><br> With all due respect to the makers of the shirt, we beg to differ. The PokerListings home game would be far more interesting if we replaced Sevillano and Stirzaker with Liz Lieu and Liv Boeree.<br><br> But maybe that's just us.<p> </p><p>Check out <a href="http://www.engrish.com/2009/07/man-friends-rule-no-1/">Engrish.com</a> for more.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:28:38 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/no-girls-in-the-playing-poker-game http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/the-ultimate-wsop-party We are at the stage of the series where many online sites host outrageous parties with the aim being to out-do each other's plans for sheer exuberance.<br><br> Last night saw Ultimate Bet throw their hat into the ring, booking the whole of Studio 54 at the MGM casino.<br><br> We can't help but think they pulled it off too.<p>The night came complete with Ultimate Bet's figurehead, Phil Hellmuth, making an appearance, a raffle for an $8.5k poker package, acrobatic and scantily-clad ladies flying over the stage hoisted by billowing silk ropes and of course, the staple of any good poker party, a free bar till the end of the night.</p> <p>The raffle was an interesting affair.</p> <p>Once the lots were drawn, the winning ticket belonged to a multi-millionaire - which led one bearded drunk to yell out "This s*** is rigged! Just like Ultimate Bet!" - referencing some of the controversy that has surrounded the site in previous years.</p> <p>This didn't stop people hitting up the free bar and having a great time grooving on the dance floor though and the revelling went on into the early hours of the morning.</p><p>With a host of top players and personalities, all the extravagant ingredients for a balla night were there and the other sites will have their work cut out to top Ultimate Bet's offering.</p> <p>Give it your best shot guys!</p><p><em>For footage of the night, see <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com/tv/watch/wsop-headlines-june-30-2009-825" target="_blank">The Daily Rail Rewind show</a> - filmed on location, and complete with introduction from Phil Hellmuth.</em></p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:43:46 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/the-ultimate-wsop-party http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-32-door-lottery Some poker players have absolutely no common sense. They might be brilliant on the felt but they have no clue how to do something as simple as open a door. <br><br> Here at the WSOP, the doors are solid wood. Hence they aren't see through. Yet people still barrel through them like a New Jersey frat boy pumped up on steroids. <br><br> We constantly see people getting slammed by these doors as inconsiderate fools fling them open. It's somewhat of a lottery when you go to open it. You never know when you're going to catch one in the face. <br><br> Earlier we saw someone with a nice cheeseburger and fries. They looked hungry. As he reached to open the door, some monkey who had probably just suffered a bad beat kicked the door open.<p>Fries, hamburger meat, bread, ketchup, and mustard went flying all over the place. Some poor sap had his dinner all over himself and the worst part - the jerk that opened the door didn't even apologize.</p><p>Some people.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:46:46 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-32-door-lottery http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-31-wake-up Most people who had just plunked down $5,000 to play in a poker tournament would be too keyed up to sleep.<br><br> Not this guy.<br><br> Must have had a late night at the Ultimate Bet party, because he's out cold at his table. Like, needing to be woken up when the action's on him out.<br><br> So far his midday nap doesn't seem to be hurting his stack too much, and he's already outlasted Beth Shak at his table, but we can't help but think that this guy's $5k would have been better spent on a nice Sealy Posturepedic and a couple quality down pillows.<p> </p><p>WAKE UP!</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:55:43 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-31-wake-up http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/daily-wsop-photoshop-down-the-stretch-they-come With a mind-boggling three gold bracelets and a daunting 355 Player of the Year points, you'd think Jeffrey Lisandro would have the 2009 WSOP POY award sewn up by now.<br/><br/> You'd be wrong.<br/><br/> Granted, his rivals are fading fast. And you'd still be pretty stupid to bet against him. But it's not officially a done deal. <br/><br/> And, as we know in poker, stranger things have happened.<p>Couple factors still in play.</p><p>One, while in all previous years the Main Event was off limits for POY points, the <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/poy-award-to-include-main-event-for-first-time-41688' class=''>WSOP braintrust has flipped the switch</a> this year and the big one is now eligible for point gathering.</p><p>Two: never underestimate a rampaging Finn.</p><p>While few would argue Lisandro has put on one of the most dominating Stud performances in WSOP history, Ville Wahlbeck has hardly played second fiddle.</p><p>A win in the $10k Mixed Game World Championship, a second in the $10k 2-7 Draw Lowball World Championship and a third in the $10k Seven-Card Stud World Championship has more than proven Ville's mettle.</p><p>Top it off with a 13th-place finish in the $10k Omaha 8 World Championship, a 12th in the $2,500 Razz event and a seat at the final table of the $50k H.O.R.S.E. today, and it's no stretch to say Wahlbeck may be the true POY, official points notwithstanding.</p><p>All that, and <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/wahlbeck-im-still-quitting-42328' class=''>he's still planning on quitting poker</a>.</p><p>Nonetheless, Wahlbeck's set to make his final push as he battles it out with the short stack at the $50K.</p><p>He's guaranteed 35 POY points as it is, even if he busts first, which would still put him at 310 overall - just 45 behind Lisandro with the Main Event still to play. A win today gives him the outright lead; a 2nd puts him just 5 points back.</p><p>And how sick would that be for a Main Event subplot? He'd have to finish 7th to catch Lisandro (with no cash for the Iceman), but still.</p><p>Dominating summer for Ville. And don't doubt he's ready for a big Finnish (hiyo!).</p><p>Keep up to speed with Pokerlistings.com <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/live-tournaments/wsop' class=''>live updates here</a>. For complete WSOP Player of the Year standings, check <a href="http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/players/2009.asp">here</a>.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:05:15 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/daily-wsop-photoshop-down-the-stretch-they-come http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/top-5-most-memorable-hands-in-main-event-history It's that time of year again: World Series of Poker Main Event time. If that doesn't get your heart pumping, you're either dead or not a poker player.<br><br> The Main Event is a two-week-long poker super grind. With the thousands of tables comes millions of hands, storylines, brags, beats and of course a shit-ton of variance.<br><br> The Main Event is where names are made and fortunes are won. It's simply the biggest poker spectacle in the world. <br><br> If that isn't memorable enough on its own, I took the liberty of searching around and finding my top five most memorable WSOP ME hands.<br><br> In no particular order, we have:<p></p><p><strong>5) Phil Ivey, Final-Table Bubble Boy</strong></p> <p align="left">With 10 left in the 2003 Main Event, Phil Ivey turns a full house with <span class="nowrap">9<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" /> 9<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /></span> on a <span class="nowrap">Q<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> 6<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" /> Q<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" /> 9<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /></span> board against Chris Moneymaker, who gets it all in with <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> Q<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" />.</span></p> <p align="left">The <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" /></span> river bails the accountant out and, as we all know, Moneymaker goes on to ship maybe the most significant bracelet in WSOP history.</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5qjEUC_lI4g&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5qjEUC_lI4g&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left">Such a sick beat because its F Phil Ivey and he usually just stares bad beats off.</p> <p align="left">Had the river bricked, Ivey almost certainly would go on to win the Main Event and its $2.5 million first-place prize.</p> <p align="left">But before you go and start feeling bad for him, give this a thought: The massive pot helps Moneymaker go on to win the whole thing.</p> <p align="left">Moneymaker winning the Main Event and making the incredible $39 to $2.5 million score initiates the whole "poker boom." Millions of players flock to online poker rooms hoping to be the next Moneymaker.</p> <p align="left">Ivey has an owner's stake in Full Tilt Poker, and because of the poker boom Moneymaker helped create, Ivey has made the $2.5 million he would have made for shipping the bracelet several times over.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>4) "You Call, Gonna Be All Over, Baby"</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p align="left">Heads-up for the bracelet vs. Kevin McBride in 1998, Scotty is in fine form, smoking and drinking Michelobs.</p> <p align="left">In the final hand, the board runs out 9-9-8-8-8 and Scotty ships it in on the river. McBride's in the tank when Scotty drops the famous bomb, "You call, gonna be all over, baby."</p> <p align="left">McBride makes the call, says he'll play the board and it's "all over, baby" when Scotty shows the <span class="nowrap">J<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" /> 9<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/c.gif" alt="c" /></span> for the bigger full house.</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hsqmovsePVU&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hsqmovsePVU&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>3) Raymer's Back-to-Back Plans Flushed</strong></p> <p align="left">Most people don't remember that a year after he won the bracelet in the 2004 Main Event, Greg Raymer was still alive in the final 30 of the 2005 Main Event and was drawing very live for back-to-back Main Event wins.</p> <p align="left">These weren't pre-boom Main Events either. In 2004, Raymer bested 2,576 players. in 2005, there were 5,619.</p> <p align="left">To win in 2004 and come in the top 30 the very next year is an incredible feat on its own. But it could have been even better.</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_qK1M3kKess&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_qK1M3kKess&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left">With twice the average stack he gets involved in a pot with Aaron Kanter (2005's luckbox). With <span class="nowrap">K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" />,</span> Raymer bet a six-high flop and again on the turn.</p> <p align="left">Kanter, who called the flop with overcards, now raises the turn with a queen-high flush draw. Raymer ships it in and Kanter insta-calls with nothing but a flush draw.</p> <p align="left">The river obv binks the flush and Raymer is left with the small stack.</p> <p align="left">Had he won the pot, he would have been chip leader and had a stack that was 4x average. From there he could have easily cruised to the final table.</p><p align="left">But it wasn't meant to be and he ended up busting out 24th.</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>2) "He's Going All In and Chan Has Him. Johnny Chan the Master"</strong></p> <p align="left">Speaking of back to back, in the hand immortalized by the movie <em>Rounders</em>, Johnny Chan check-calls three streets with the nuts vs. Erik Seidel, successfully getting Seidel to shove with top pair.</p><p align="left">Winning the hand, Chan takes the second of his back-to-back Main Events in 1987 and 1988. Seidel is similarly immortalized for losing the hand a decade later, and remains stuck answering questions about it to this day.</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KC_BETBgWxk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KC_BETBgWxk&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>1) Matusow Gets Matusowed</strong></p> <p align="left">Mike Matusow is no stranger to going deep in the Main Event. Going on to win it, though, is a different story.</p> <p align="left">When the big one gets deep, the cards get cold for "The Mouth" and Matusow has had his share of Main Event scars.</p> <p align="left">In 2005, Matusow find himself at the final table, and it doesn't take long for the card gods to start having some fun. In the very first hand of the televised table, Mike is dealt <span class="nowrap">K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/s.gif" alt="s" />.</span></p> <p align="left">The only problem is Scott Lazar is dealt <span class="nowrap">A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> A<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" />.</span> They obviously get it all-in and the flop comes <span class="nowrap">Q<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> 6<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" /> K<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/d.gif" alt="d" />.</span> Matusow binks the two outer!!!</p> <p align="left">The turn of course comes the <span class="nowrap">2<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" />,</span> and Matusow instantly looks like he lost the hand.</p> <p align="left">He's right when the river comes <span class="nowrap">J<img src="http://www.pokerlistings.com/images/deck/h.gif" alt="h" />.</span> Scott Lazar makes the runner-runner flush to severely cripple him.</p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="425" height="344" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/3eWqEMyG1fE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3eWqEMyG1fE&amp;hl=en&amp;fs=1&amp;" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p><p align="left">&nbsp;</p> <p align="left">Such a sick hand if only for the incredible range of emotions Matusow must have gone through.</p> <p align="left">First, the crippling feeling of the disgusting KK vs AA cooler at the Main Event final table. But then you bink the two outer and it's like you just came back from the dead.</p> <p align="left">Then of course the board runs out a four-flush, and the pot feels like it was snatched right out of your hands.</p> <p align="left">Its like you go from zero to 100 all the way back to zero in five short minutes. I think it's pretty amazing Matusow didn't have a heart attack.</p><p align="left">-----------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="left">You can bet even more memories are waiting to happen this year. The 2009 Main Event kicks off Friday, so keep it locked to <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/live-tournaments' class=''>PokerListings</a> for coverage.</p><p align="left">Any hands you think rank as more memorable than these, fire off a comment below.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:05:23 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/top-5-most-memorable-hands-in-main-event-history http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/whoop-whoop-brunsons-pulled-over A few weeks ago, we told you about Doyle Brunson's retail therapy following his premature bustification in the $10,000 Mixed Event.<br><br> Dude bought a new Cadillac Escalade and <a href="http://twitter.com/TEXdolly">Tweeted</a> about it.<br><br> "New Escalade is beautiful, but maybe i'll get used to all the stuff on it," he wrote after taking delivery of the truck.<br><br> Then, a few days ago, a little of what we call foreshadowing: <br><br> "By the way, I loved my old Escalade but no comparison to my new one. It has 160 mph on the speedometer and it might really go that fast."<br><br> And then a few days later at the end of play on Day 2 of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, Brunson was caught apparently testing the limits of that speedometer. <br><br> "Still in with average chips. Todd is in 3rd place. got a freaking ticket coming home last night..Escalade runs too damn fast."<p>Unfortunately, Brunson has a little more than a speeding ticket to tilt him these days.</p><p>Texas Dolly busted out of the $50k HORSE event after three days of play, winding up just short of the money in the WSOP's most prestigious event.</p> <p>To make matters worse, son Todd Brunson was eliminated just a few minutes into the fourth day of play, missing the money by an even narrower margin.</p> <p>Check out our coverage of the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event <a href='http://www.pokerlistings.com/live-tournaments/wsop/2009/event49/live-updates' class=''>here</a>.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:30:29 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/whoop-whoop-brunsons-pulled-over http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/english-at-the-table-please With the recent invasion of Russian players at the WSOP, it's only natural there will be some breakdowns in communication and we just saw an example of that today.<br><br> It's a well-known rule at the WSOP that only English can be spoken at the table to prevent collusion between two players speaking a language the rest of the players at the table don't understand. <br><br> Russians, in particular, have been allegedly guilty of this several times. <br><br> In a recent hand in the $3,000 Triple Chance tournament, Andrew Scott found himself in between two Russians and after a seeing the flop he heard one of them say something to the other in Russian. <br><br> Scott asked the Russian on his left what he had said but the player didn't answer. Scott was perturbed by the hand and decided to call over the floor manager at this point.<p>After listening to the issue the floor manager simply reiterated to the Russian players that they had to speak English at the table.</p> <p>Scott seemed pleased with the resolution and even joked with one of the Russian players after the incident.</p> <p>"If you're going to do that you shouldn't wear a Russian flag on your sweater," joked Scott. "It makes it easier to tell you're speaking Russian!"</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:27:29 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/english-at-the-table-please http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/ahmadi-trumps-kabbaj-in-groundhog-day-bracelet-ceremony Yesterday, the WSOP caused a bit of a stir with their inclusion of the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen" in John Kabbaj's bracelet ceremony.<br><br> Despite head-banging their way through the ceremony, both Kabbaj and WSOP commish Jeffrey Pollack expressed disappointment in the ceremony, with Pollack Tweeting an apology and announcing a re-do of the ceremony on Saturday.<br><br> So today was Saturday and thus a somber Jeffrey Pollack stood before the assembled and apologized for allowing so heinous an act.<br><br> Then the assembled stood and paid their respects to Jolly England with the regular instrumental version of "God Save the Queen" playing in the background. And everyone walked away with righteous indignation quelled.<br><br> Kabbaj, incidentally, didn't bother to show up for his Groundhog Day presentation.<br><br> Meanwhile, eclipsing the GodSavetheQueenaments was Canadian Bahador Ahmadi's bracelet presentation.<br><br> Ahmadi was born in Iran and as a show of solidarity with those struggling in the aftermath of the Iranian election, requested that the Iranian national anthem be played.<br><br> So they dug up the Iranian anthem and with Pollack careful to add that Ahmadi had requested it, they played the song and it was kind of cool.<p>Or at least more interesting than Kabbaj's "God Save the Queen" part deux.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Sun, 28 Jun 2009 06:18:26 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/ahmadi-trumps-kabbaj-in-groundhog-day-bracelet-ceremony http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-silf Let's take a moment to discuss one of the best if not THE best food on offer at the Rio. <br><br> The official sandwich purveyor of the World Series of Poker is a small sandwich chain called Capprioti's. Their sandwiches are some of the best that can be had in all of Las Vegas, let alone the Rio. <br><br> But there is one sandwich that stands out a cut above the rest. It is known as the "Bobbie". It is a sinister mix of freshly roasted turkey, moist stuffing, cranberry sauce, and mayonnaise all on a soft roll. It's not your run-of-the-mill sandwich. <br><br> If you're thinking it sounds strange you might be right, but if you're thinking that it sounds disgusting - well then, you couldn't be more wrong. <br><br> A virtual Thanksgiving dinner on a roll, the "Bobbie" is a sandwich that will leave you feeling full and reminiscent of family dinners from years past all at the same time. <br><br> If you ever find yourself at the Rio or at a Capriotti's elsewhere in the U.S., don't even bother looking at the menu. <br><br> Pick up one of these hefty sandwiches and prepare for the wild ride that only turkey, mayonnaise, stuffing, and cranberry sauce can bring you.<p>You won't be disappointed.</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 23:09:40 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-silf http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-29-coasting-at-the-gold-coast If you're getting sick of the garish decor, jam-packed corridors and noise pollution that are some of the hallmarks of the Rio, you might consider sauntering down to the Rio's considerably more low-key neighbor, the Gold Coast.<br><br> Although the slower pace of the Gold Coast is not for all, jump in one of the cash games here and you will face off against an eclectic mix of characters.<p>I found this out last night as I settled down to play some $1/$2 NLHE. I took my seat and was amazed to find myself at a table comprised primarily of Germans.<br /><br />One in particular was hard to ignore, given that he raised liberally and bet virtually every flop - preceding each raise with a look at his cards and an announcement of "whoops, I raise!"</p><p>The max buy-in was $200 and he was sat with $450 which had turned into $650 by the end of the night. Despite his run-good donk-tard-iness, he kept the table entertained and always made sure he bought people he stacked a drink.</p><p>In between hands he was very keen to tell the table about his new bride. <br /><br />"I like 'em blonde, tall and busty!" he said with a twinkle in his eye, and I could sense the relief from the short brunette I at the table with.<br /><br />After several hours I had eked out just a small $16 profit but had had plenty of free drinks and a great time to show for it, making it an enjoyable night all in all.<br /><br />Need a break from the Rio? Take my advice, get down to the Gold Coast, put your name on the cash game list, hit the waitress up for a free white russian and play some poker.<br /><br />You never know - whoops, you might just like it!</p><br /> Visit <a href="http://www.pokerlistings.com">PokerListings.com</a> info@www.Pokerlistings.com News Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:04:23 +0100 http://www.pokerlistings.com/blog/wsop/2009/random-wsop-observation-29-coasting-at-the-gold-coast