Posted by Andrew Feldman
I'm surrounded by yells of "$550" and "win your seat", but hey, isn't that what the day before the start of the main event is all about? As I sit on the media perch in the Amazon room in the early hours of the morning (yes, 10 a.m. is early for poker players), the tournament directors and satellite room managers are busy. To my left is nearly 25 tables filled with players in the daily $550, all hoping to win their way into the WSOP's main event. Amazingly, there are spectators watching this as well! It doesn't matter that these are players that they've never seen or heard of, it's the World Series of Poker -- a spectator "sport." Needless to say, the Rio is packed, and with the gaming life expo starting Thursday, the World Series of Poker is the place to be if you're heading to Vegas in July.
When I entered the media room this morning I spoke to Seth Palansky, head of media relations for the WSOP, and he looked spent. However, he optimistically said, "We're still breaking records." This was a man who, when I first met him months ago, was bright-eyed and ready to go. But, as he said, "50 straight days of work can really get to you."
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Crowds often surround Hellmuth when he walks the halls at the WSOP.
In the last 50 days, the pros have shined. Without question, the list of best players without a bracelet has shortened significantly and, as Palansky said, more records have been broken this year showing that poker is still alive and well despite what some may say. It's an industry where the almighty dollar reigns supreme and the Internet has continued to provide a vehicle for growth. In poker, the desire to bust your best friends and take their chips is commonplace and necessary if you are going to be one of the best. I look around the Amazon Room now and witness hundreds of players chip shuffling, staring down others and trying to make the game's biggest and most prestigious tournament and become part of the game's storied history.
Last night Phil Hellmuth almost made history again. Leading the final table of the $1,500 HORSE event No. 51, Hellmuth was on pace to win his record 12th bracelet. Unfortunately, it was not his night. Hellmuth was both dejected and visibly frustrated, but not in the typical Hellmuth blow-up fashion.
"I don't know what it is," Hellmuth said. "But I just can't win a bracelet."
The all-time bracelet leader, who won his 11th bracelet only last year and has made two final tables in 2008 just said that he can't win a bracelet? It's an interesting thought, but is it one of reflection after falling short or one of admittance that this year hasn't been his best? Either way, the third-place finish looked to have gotten to the all-time WSOP cash leader, but Hellmuth regained his confidence and quickly mentioned that he can't wait for the main event, where he's had significant struggles getting past Day 1 the last few years.
The Second Annual Ante Up for Africa
Courtesy Michele Lewis
Charles Barkley was eliminated early, but hung around at the Ante Up For Africa event.
Today's charity event is one of the most promoted events of the series. Starting with a red carpet for all the celebrities at 1 p.m., the Rio will turn a little Hollywood and add a bit of compassion to a game that typically doesn't have much. The event, put on by Annie Duke and Don Cheadle, will feature some of the biggest names in poker and the biggest names in Hollywood. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, celebrating 10 years since the release of Rounders, will take their seats next to Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, ESPN.com's Phil Gordon and more. It will be a day of charity at the WSOP, as a portion of the $5,000 entry-fee will go towards a great cause -- attempting to protect the vulnerable, marginalized and displaced in Darfur, Africa. Last year's co-champions Dan Shak and Brandon Moran donated their winnings to the charity as well.
I spoke to a number of players as they walked the red carpet and you can hear the interviews exclusively on the Poker Edge podcast on Thursday.
World Series of Poker Europe and ESPN360.com
The WSOP announced Tuesday that this year's World Series of Poker Europe will offer four bracelet events instead of the three in 2007. What makes this even better is that now, you'll be able to watch the action around the world.
ESPN360.com, which has broadcasted 24 of the 2008 preliminary bracelet events live, has extended its agreement to cover the World Series of Poker Europe.
The series, which has added a lower buy-in no-limit hold 'em event, will begin September 19th and conclude on October 1.
"We have enhanced the schedule to build on our initial success and provide a richer experience for players," World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said. "If this year's World Series of Poker event in Las Vegas is any indication, the level of tournament play is increasing worldwide, and we expect the second annual WSOPE to be hotly contested."
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Annette Obrestad won the WSOP Europe main event in 2007, but she can't play in the U.S. until 2010.
Last year's champion, Annette Obrestad, was in Vegas to promote the event, but unfortunately, due to her age, she is ineligible to participate in the WSOP. She mentioned that she is looking forward to defending her title in Europe and will wait until she can play in the U.S.
Here is the schedule for the 2008 WSOP Europe:
September 19, 2008 - Event No. 1 - £1,500 -- No-limit hold 'em (three-day event/two opening days)
September 22, 2008 - Event No. 2 - £2,500 -- HORSE (three-day event)
September 24, 2008 - Event No. 3 - £5,000 -- Pot-limit Omaha (three-day event)
September 27, 2008 - Event No. 4 - £10,000 -- World Championship no-limit hold 'em (five-day event/two opening days)
Small blinds
The World Series of BBQ was a huge success, according to Michele Lewis. She even enjoyed Gavin Smith doing karaoke. … J.C. Tran and Amnon Filippi were rooting for their friend Tommy Hang to win the $1,500 HORSE event. Unfortunately, Hang finished in second place. … Cheering at the poker table, fans of Marty Smith were incredibly rowdy during Smith's victory in the $10,000 pot-limit Omaha world championship. I guess that happens when you serve Milwaukee's Best Light … I guess everyone is going green these days. Harrah's has purchased carbon offsets to become the first climate-friendly poker tournament … The media poker tournament will take place on July 7, the off day for the players. … They have added two blackjack tables in the Amazon Room. …
Poker
