Posts Tagged ‘2010’
The Aussie Millions on GSN: Shak Defeats Ivey for $100K Title
WSOP Main Event Day 4 complete –Tony Dunst leads
2010 World Series of Poker: Main Event Bubble Bursts
Tags: 2010
The Nightly Turbo: WSOP Planning Italian and French Events, World Poker Tour Bellagio Cup VI Update, and More
Bubble Bursts as Dunst Seizes Main Event Lead
Those who were sweating their shorts stacks on the bubble had to wait an extra 90 minutes as tournament officials made the controversial decision to break for dinner only four slots shy of the money.
Frank Kassela sealed up his WSOP Player of the Year win by finishing in the money. All four Mizrachi brothers found a way to cash as well, perhaps ushering in a new era of dominance for "Team Mizrachi."
Only 574 of the 1,203 players that started the day are still remaining. Some of the unlucky players to be sent home before making money include Dan Harrington, Kathy Liebert, Annie Duke, Barry Greenstein and Robert Varkonyi.
Among those sent home in the money were Gavin Smith, Eric Mizrachi and Frank Kassela but perhaps the most painful elimination spot was reserved for Tim McDonald, who ended up filling that unwanted bubble spot and just missing out on a payday.
It wasn't all doom and gloom for McDonald though as he was awarded a Main Event seat for next year, so he has at least one more epic journey ahead of him.
David Chiu was another player to bust - although he made it to just inside the money.
"I am exhausted and totally burnt out,” Chiu said of a draining Main Event for him.
“I’ll probably take one whole week to catch up on sleep!”
By the end of play, there were a number of well known players occupying the top spots, Matt Affleck, Phil Galfond and Theo Jorgensen all in the top ten.
However it was the sharply-dressed Tony Dunst who trumped them all, slicing his way through to the chip lead, and anyone with designs on the title will have to create a few creases in Dunst's otherwise flawless suits if they are to create history and win the 2010 Main Event.
(With files from Jason Phillips.)
For a full account of how the day panned out, click through to PokerLIstings' WSOP 2010 coverage, including news, videos and blogs.
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Snoop Dogg entertained in PokerStars’s party - David Williams gossips about Snoop
The legendary rap star Snoop Dogg performed in the party organized by PokerStars on Sunday, the rest day of the WSOP 2010. David Williams, in turn, revealed having met Snoop before when the artist had offered him some herb-rich product…
In the CardPlayer interview Williams tells having been in the same party in Miami where Snoop had offered him his “favorite hobby”. But Williams had turned it down since he is not up to things like that.
Watch David’s story from the video clip where also Daniel Negreanu praises Snoop.
- Snoop gave a 45-minute gig at the Rain Nightclub.
Sources: PokerStarsBlog, CardPlayer and TheHendonMob
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Snoop Dogg entertained in PokerStars’s party - David Williams gossips about Snoop
2010 World Series of Poker: On the Rail with Joe Cada
2010 World Series of Poker Day 44: James Carroll Holds Chip Lead and Chan Continues to Climb
Tags: 2010
WSOP Adds Regional, National Championship Circuit Events
The tour is entering its seventh year and features events around the United States throughout the year. This year officials are adding four $10k buy-in regional championships and lowering the buy-in to $1.5k for the rest of the open events.
Also new this year will be the addition of a cumulative scoring system that culminates in a 100-person National Championship tournament that will be played at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas prior to the commencement of the WSOP.
The tournament won't have a buy-in and will feature the top 100 performers from the tour who will compete for a $1,000,000 prize pool and a WSOP Gold Bracelet. Only the top 10 will emerge with a payday.
"We recognized the WSOP Circuit Events needed a shot in the arm, and we believe we've responded with steroids," said WSOP Vice President Ty Stewart. "The new model is exactly what the WSOP is all about, giving poker players of all bankrolls the chance for compete for the kind of fame, fortune and respect that comes only with a WSOP bracelet and a national television audience."
Speaking of national television, the WSOP is guaranteeing two-hours of national television coverage per $10k Regional Circuit Championship event. Clearly, the decision-makers are targeting professionals and amateurs alike in their attempts to attract more interest.
Tournament directors are hoping the end result is an expanded player pool and a renewed excitement for poker throughout the country. More details are available at the WSOP site.
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The 7th season of the WSOP Circuit will start in August
WSOP has announced the WSOP Circuit Tour schedule for the season 2010-2011.
The WSOP Circuit Tour will start its seventh season in August. It also looks like the tournament is gonna be bigger and better than ever before. This 7th season will include at least 12 tour stops - and presumably there will be even more of these.
The 7th season will also involve some innovations which the organizers naturally classify as improvements:
- A Cumulative Player Point System for the whole season.
- The WSOP Circuit National Championship tournament (televised nationally) in which the Top 100 players (who have accumulated most points) will qualify.
- Four regional WSOP Circuit Championships happenings (buy-ins $10k and 2 hrs of TV broadcasting/each happening).
- Standardized structures and pay-outs.
The WSOP Circuit 2010-2011 will start on August 19th from Iowa (Horseshoe Council Bluffs) and will continue until May 2011 when poker shall be played at Harrah’s New Orleans.
View the schedule from here.
Read more about WSOP Circuit.
Source: WSOP
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Hail to the 2010 WSOP by Linda Johnson
If you are a poker player and you didn’t make it to the Rio to be part of or even witness the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP), you definitely missed out! As one friend of mine said, the WSOP has definitely matured. Kudos to Jack Effel and his entire staff for the many, many hours of planning they put in to make it run so smoothly.
When it comes to details, they seem to have thought of everything. The food problems of the past were settled by the creation of the Poker Kitchen, where players could grab food during dinner breaks without having to walk all the way into the casino. By the way, the fresh, custom, “more than you could eat” salads they served this year were incredible and the $10 food comp players got when they entered an event was sufficient to pay for a meal there. They had extra “executive” bathrooms outside the Amazon Room that were actually so deluxe that one would never know they were there temporarily.
They had plenty of stages for final tables. The bracelet ceremony was held each afternoon at a large center stage in the Pavilion, providing the bracelet winners an opportunity to be honored by their peers. I had the incredible opportunity to deliver the “Shuffle Up and Deal” speech from the center stage to kick off the Ladies Event. Here is a copy of the speech I wrote:
“I’m honored to be part of the opening ceremonies for the 2010 WSOP Ladies Event. 2010 is my 30-year anniversary of playing in the WSOP.
When I entered my first Ladies Event in 1980, I had no idea that it would be life-changing. I had decided that if I did well in that event, I would quit my job and become a poker pro. That year – 1980 – I came in fifth place. I went home to California and gave notice at work. Two weeks later, I moved to Las Vegas and began my new life as professional poker player.
I’ve never regretted that decision. The past 30 years in poker have been incredible. Many things have changed in poker over the past 30 years.
Instead of starting with $400 in tournament chips, today we’re starting with $3,000 in chips. Instead of 65 entries, today there are more than 1,000 participants. Instead of paying three places, more than 100 will be paid. Instead of Seven Card Stud, the game has changed to No Limit Hold’em. Instead of playing downstairs in the Mexican restaurant at Binion’s that was converted to the World Series poker room for two weeks a year, we are here at the Rio in the biggest poker room in the world. Isn’t this setting spectacular? Instead of it being rare to see women in poker rooms, women have become an integral part of poker.
Women are accomplished players! There are now 15 women with gold bracelets in open events. You can’t open a poker magazine these days without seeing the picture of a woman who just won a big poker tournament.
Despite the changes in poker from 1980 to 2010, one thing has remained the same: the excitement that we, as poker players, feel every year at the WSOP.
As I look out today, I see excitement on your faces. I hope the 2010 Ladies Event changes many of your lives like it changed mine! I remember it like it was yesterday – the thrill I felt 30 years ago as I heard the tournament director say… Shuffle up and deal!”
At the time I gave the speech, I wasn’t aware that approximately 12 men had entered the Ladies Event. Of course had I known, I could have added the line, “Instead of only women playing in the Ladies Event, today we have men and women playing.”
There have been many articles and blogs written about whether or not men should be allowed to play in the Ladies Event and even whether or not there should be a Ladies Event. Here’s the bottom line as far as I am concerned: There is no reason to have a Ladies Event because women can’t compete with the men… they can! The reason to have a Ladies Event is because of the atmosphere at the event, which is different from an open event. It is pleasant and provides a great opportunity for women poker players to play with their peers. More than 1,000 women showed up to play, so they obviously support Ladies tournaments.
In the five open events I played in, I was almost always the only woman at the tables. Therefore, the conversation was mostly about sports, the cocktail waitress, and things that didn’t interest me. I witnessed at least two very vocal arguments between players in each of the open events I played in.
It really was a treat to get to play with ladies in a congenial atmosphere and to have conversations that interested me. In fact, the two penalties I saw given during the Ladies Event were given to men.
I would never dream of crashing a man’s bachelor party, hunting trip, or fishing trip, so why should they play in a Ladies Event? However, that doesn’t make it right for the women to cheer when the men get knocked out. They should just be ignored, in my opinion.
I hate to see the 2010 WSOP come to an end. It was a great Series for me, with three cashes in the five tournaments I entered and success in live games as well. Could we make it last a little longer next year?
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Chan Still Among Leaders After Day 3 of WSOP Main Event
The cash is drawing nearer as the eliminations pick up and the celebrations become more intense. Only 747 will emerge with a payday and that bubble is expected to burst tomorrow.
Some of the players who had their Main Event dreams dashed today include former champs Joe Cada and Chris Moneymaker. Also sent to the rail were Kara Scott, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Jen Harman, Daniel Negreanu, Vanessa Rousso, David Williams and Erik Seidel.
Surprisingly, all four of the Mizrachi brothers are still alive and The Grinder is the only person who can run down Frank Kassela for WSOP Player of the Year. He has to win in order to secure that feat.
Some of the other big names remaining include Jason Mercier, John Robert Bellande, Johnny Lodden, Barry Greenstein, Eric Baldwin, Sammy Farha, David Grey and Patrik Antonius.
Johnny Chan once again ended the day among the chip leaders. Chan said he was happy and tired as he bagged up his chips to end the day.
"I'm glad we're changing tables because the player to the left of me was probably the only one to win a lot of chips off of me," Chan said.
When asked to compare the 2010 competition to the fields he defeated back in 1987 and 1988, Chan chuckled. "Let's just say this; the players are a lot better nowadays."
Chan is confident that he can win a third Main Event title and record 11th bracelet. "I absolutely think I can win, otherwise I wouldn't be here," he said. "All those chips help give me confidence too."
Chan finished with 636k and found himself 9th on the leader board heading into day 4.
Tomorrow's action will once again start at noon in the Amazon Room and promises to be one of the most exciting and intense days on the entire WSOP calendar. As always, keep checking in here at PokerListings for all the latest news and live updates.
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Jack Ury, 97, continues in the WSOP 2010 Main Event
We’ve got a real steel grandpa in the WSOP 2010 Main Event! Jack Ury who was born in Indiana 97 years ago made it through the first two days and will continue to the third tournament day.
On 2+2 forum Ury’s family receives a lot of praise. The nick “fire_sqaud” reports having seen how the family pushes him in a wheelchair all around Rio - to the toilet, to eat during the tournament breaks and so on. Ury, who found poker in 1953, amused the audience on purpose or unintentionally by taking more than doubles with his small stack.
From the big blind Ury went all-in with his king pair and asked - as the board was K2J87 -“Did I win?” and laughed merrily as his opponent was holding 3h-9s. Perhaps the most senior player of the tournament is slightly senile or maybe he just presents the stereotype of a Vegas steel papa?
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Betfair Poker joins Ongame Network
Betfair and Ongame Network published today a joint press release about Betfair Poker joining Ongame Network’s global online poker network in the end of this July.
This deal between Ongame and Betfair will bring a lot of new players and more money to Ongame Network.
The Head of Betfair Poker, Daniel Svard, comments the migration:“From now on Betfair Poker players will have a greater supply of games at all times of the day. Both companies have also really committed to developing their functions.”
Martin Lerby, Head of Ongame Network continues:“In the long run Betfair is an ideal partner for us. Betfair is a respected, technically mature brand. We are very delighted to welcome Betfair’s players and know-how in this highly competitive market.”
Source: Ongame Network
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UB Tattoo Prop Bet
UB held a contest on their site to find the craziest last longer prop bets. The two guys that won, Justin and Gregg, agreed to get the hand that busted them out of the tournament tattooed to their body along with the UB logo. The kicker in the prop bet is that the loser also had to find someone to get married to right on the Las Vegas Strip. Poker News Daily received exclusive access to what has to be one of the weirder stories to come out of the 2010 World Series of Poker as we followed them from the UB Suite at the Rio in Las Vegas to the tattoo parlor in a seedy part of Las Vegas Boulevard. Watch in fascinated horror as we interview the guys before the deed is done, see the tattoo being created and finally, see the finished artwork.
Poker Academy schedule confirmed
Tags: 2010
World Series of Poker Main Event Day 2b complete; 1,359 survive
Tags: 2010
Mike Matusow Video Interview with Bernard Lee
Mike “The Mouth” Matusow joins Bernard Lee on his segment, “The Hijack Seat” from the floor of the 2010 World Series of Poker. Matusow is one of the biggest names in poker and has gained popularity from his longevity in the industry and in recent years, story of redemption. Matusow is a multiple bracelet winner at the WSOP and answers questions about his favorite poker game, Deuce to Seven Triple Draw.
Markup of Barney Frank Internet Gambling Bill Expected Soon
At the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, officials from the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) told Poker News Daily that the major pro-internet gambling bill in Congress may be marked up this week. However, no hearing appears on the schedule of the House Financial Services Committee.
The PPA had originally expected HR 2267, the Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act, to be marked up the week of July 12th. However, the only meeting that appears on the schedule of the House Financial Services Committee is in Canfield, Ohio on Tuesday morning. There, the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing entitled, “After the Financial Crisis: Ongoing Challenges Facing Delphi Retirees.”
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, also introduced HR 2267 in May 2009. The bill is up to 69 co-sponsors on both sides of the aisle, but has generated just six new endorsers since 2010 began.
The PPA is up to 1.2 million members, many of whom helped raise $27,000 as part of the organization’s July 1st Money Bomb. PPA Executive Director John Pappas told Poker News Daily that the average donation was a little over $20.
The PPA will use its $27,000 in newfound cash to fund a series of ads in publications like Roll Call and Politico supporting the markup efforts. The original fundraising target of the July 1st campaign was $25,000, meaning that the PPA exceeded its expectations. Preset donation amounts ranging between $5 and $500 are still available on the PPA’s website, where funds continue to be accepted.
The July 1st date marked exactly one month from the date of mandatory industry compliance with the regulations of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA). After the bill was originally passed in late 2006, its regulations had not yet been fully enforced. Now, credit cards, banks, and other financial institutions must fall into line with the four year old bill. In the background of the mandatory compliance deadline was arguably the most successful WSOP in history, including the second largest Main Event ever at 7,319 entrants.
In a video posted on the official website of the PPA conducted by ESPN’s Andrew Feldman, Pappas described the lay of the land following June 1st: “We hear from players all of the time if there are disruptions in deposits or payouts or anything like that and we’re not hearing any of those issues. It’s an eerie silence and we’re wondering what is going to happen, if another shoe is going to fall.”
Frank had alluded to a vote on HR 2267 during a hearing in the House Ways and Means Committee in May. Pappas told Poker News Daily and Feldman that a vote in committee could happen in the “next couple of weeks.” The House Financial Services Committee last tackled the internet gambling issue in December. During the proceedings, Ranking Member Congressman Spencer Bachus (R-AL) asked why officials from the U.S. Treasury and Federal Reserve were not in attendance. Consequently, those two entities are expected to take center stage in the yet-to-be-scheduled markup hearing.
The PPA is also seeking to expand its Board of Directors, perhaps by adding New Hampshire State Director Patrick Fleming. The organization has created a nominating committee for the Board that consists of the current Board members and several State Directors. A total of three additional personalities may join the PPA’s Board, which currently includes Pappas, Alfonse D’Amato, Chris Ferguson, Linda Johnson, Howard Lederer, Rich Muny, and Greg Raymer.
Visit the official website of the PPA for full details.
Vanessa Selbst Top 10 in World Series of Poker Main Event After Day 2B
Five days ago, Vanessa Selbst was introduced as the newest member of Team PokerStars along with former Bodog pro David Williams. The introduction took place at the Real World Suite at the Palms in Las Vegas, just across the street from the Rio, the site of the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP). After Day 2B of the Main Event, Selbst sits in eighth on the leaderboard with a stack of 265,000, trailing chip leader David Assouline’s mountain of 387,800.
Selbst took down the PokerStars North American Poker Tour Mohegan Sun Main Event and told the assembled crowd at the Palms that she had partly come out of retirement from poker. However, in order to solidify her Main Event run, she’ll have to navigate through a gauntlet of talent when the combined Day 3 field takes to the felt on Monday. Among those left in the hunt for the nearly $9 million top prize is Kelly Kim, an original November Niner, who doubled up late in the day on Saturday with queens against A-K.
One of the final eliminations of Day 2B went to Tommy Vedes, who called all-in with Q-3 of spades on a flop of A-5-4 with two spades. Matt Reed showed A-Q for top pair and no spade came on the turn or river. Vedes took down the World Poker Tour’s Festa al Lago last year for $1.2 million. He owns over $550,000 in career WSOP earnings.
On a flop of 8-4-6, Tom Schneider pushed all-in with pocket sevens, but received a call from a player with a wired pair of aces, which held for the win. We won’t be hearing any cries of “Stack ‘em, stack ‘em, to the top” this year from the two-time bracelet winner’s wife, but Schneider finished the 2010 WSOP with four in the money finishes.
Three players who have made deep runs in the Main Event in previous years found the exit late in the day on Saturday. Jeff Shulman, who finished fifth in last year’s cycle for $1.9 million, and Josh Arieh, who took third in 2004 for $2.5 million, were both ousted from the Main Event yesterday. Joining them was original November Niner Ylon Schwartz, who bowed out in back-to-back hands after running a straight into a flush on his second-to-last pot.
One of our favorite moments of Day 2B involved Brandon Cantu. The UB.com pro announced via Twitter, “I’m shoving this hand no matter what, wish me luck.” True to his word, Cantu moved all-in and detailed what happened next on the popular social networking site: “Went raise 3000 call 3000 I get jt shove fold fold 31k.” Cantu, a dual WSOP bracelet winner, ended the day with a stack of 40,000.
Also bumped on Day 2B were DoylesRoom Brunson 10 member Dan “djk123” Kelly, David “Bakes” Baker, Doyle Brunson, and Full Tilt pro Phil Ivey, who made the final table of this event last year. Ivey was eliminated in especially gut-wrenching fashion, as he ran pocket queens into pocket kings. Ivey hit a queen on the turn to surge into the lead, but Yuji Masaki re-sucked on the river when a king hit. Ivey’s stack took a beating as a result and he was eliminated shortly thereafter.
Here are the top 10 chip stacks after Day 2B according to figures found on WSOP.com:
1. David Assouline – 387,800
2. Ricardo Fasanaro – 380,000
3. Matt Reed – 337,800
4. Jim “Mr_BigQueso” Collopy – 305,100
5. Jon “apestyles” Van Fleet – 295,600
6. Charles Sylvestre – 292,300
7. Sasha Rosewood – 279,500
8. Vanessa Selbst – 265,000
9. Marc Sander – 265,000
10. Gabriel Walls – 241,000
Other players remaining after Day 2B include legendary gambler Archie Karas, Victory Poker pro Dan Bilzerian, Jason Mercier, UFC announcer Bruce Buffer, Eric Buchman, Humberto Brenes, “The Simpsons” voice Hank Azaria, and Lock Poker pro Matt “All In At 420” Stout.
Sunday is an off day for the 2010 WSOP Main Event. On Monday, the survivors from both Day 2s will reconvene at the Rio for a combined Day 3. The tournament’s field will be whittled down to the final nine next Saturday, July 17th.
Tags: 2010, bodog, dan bilzerian, Doyle Brunson, gamble, Phil Ivey, poker player, pokerstars, tournament, vegas, WSOP
2010 World Series of Poker Day 43: Assouline Leads; Collopy and Selbst Close Behind
The Weekly Turbo: FTOPS XVII Announced, Peter Eastgate Quits Poker, and More
Frank Kassela WSOP’s Player of The Year
Frank Kassela won two bracelets and the Player of The Year race in WSOP 2010.
So far John Juanda, who took five cashes of which four were from final tables, kept Kassela on his toes until the very end. The solution was seen not until in $25,000 NLHE 6-max. Juanda bubbled in the 19th place when Kassela secured himself five (5) points. Eventually Kassela ranked third in the tournament and cashed over half a million dollars - and took a slim lead in Player of The Year competition.
Kassela conquered five cashes and profited in total two bracelets and more than $1,2 million dollars from the WSOP 2010. This year six players have managed to cash over a million bucks in the WSOP, but this all will change with the Main Event (where the Top 8 will receive over million dollars). The top earner of the summer is still Michael Mizrachi who won the $50k Players’ Championship.
Player of The Year / Top 5
1. Frank Kassela / 285 (five cashes, three final tables, two bracelets)
2. John Juanda / 225 (five cashes, four final tables)
3. Vladimir Schmelev / 210 (four final tables)
4. Dan Heimiller / 205 (seven cashes, two final tables)
5. Michael Mizrachi / 190 (four cashes, three final tables, one bracelet)
Source: Bluff Europe and TheHendonMob
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WSOP Main Event Day 2b: Ivey Stunned
A total of 2,734 players started the day but only a little over 1,400 will see the light of Day 3.
Ricardo Fasanaro, Gabriel Walls, Vanessa Selbst, Bryn Kenney and Alex Kostritsyn were among the chip leaders as the tournament clock was finally paused at the completion of the day.
Ivey and Brunson were definitely not the only people to bust as over 1,000 players were sent to the rail throughout the day.
There numerous celebrities in the field to start the day but Shannon Elizabeth, Trishelle Cannatella and Sam Simon were all among the players to bust.
Perhaps most disappointing elimination of the day was Ivey who last year fought his way through 6,488 runners before finally busting at the 2009 final table in seventh place.
Ivey ran pocket queens into pocket kings and despite hitting a queen on the turn was eliminated when his opponent made trip kings on the river.
The single biggest controversy of the day occurred when Prahlad Friedman was accused of making a call just as the time on a called clock had expired.
The dealer hadn't heard the call and mucked Friedman's hand.
Ted Bort was furious as he would have busted Friedman if he had called. He mentioned to the ESPN cameramen on the scene that he wanted the tapes just so he could have the satisfaction of knowing he busted Friedman.
Friedman, who is no stranger to controversy, maintained that he had said call but the floorman had already counted down to one.
With all the starting days out of the way the WSOP Main Event will now take one day off before all the remaining players reconvene on Monday at 12:00 p.m.
It will be the first time every surviving player in this tournament has been under the same roof so there should be fireworks.
We'll be there every step of the way with live updates, videos, photos and more.
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World Poker Tour Brings Back Kimberly Lansing for Season 9
In an overhaul of sorts for Season 9, the World Poker Tour (WPT) has brought back Kimberly Lansing. Her role, you ask? According to a press statement released on Saturday, Lansing will “provide show opens, breaks, commentary, and perspective, including player interviews that will serve to bring out the human interest side of playing for high stakes.”
Sunday marks the first day of play in the Bellagio Cup VI, the kickoff U.S.-based event of Season 9 of the WPT. With buy-ins for several upcoming tournaments slashed to encourage more participation, Season 9 may mark a rebirth of sorts for the age-old series that first appeared on the Travel Channel back in 2003.
Lansing last appeared on WPT programming in Season 6. On why she will rejoin the tour’s ranks for the forthcoming cycle, WPT President Adam Pliska commented in the same press release, “We believe the WPT anchor represents a significant step forward in poker programming and Kimberly is a natural fit for the position. Her charisma, style, professionalism, and knowledge of the sport have earned her the respect and attention of players throughout the poker community.”
Party Gaming purchased the WPT late last year, leading some to believe that PartyPoker pro Kara Scott may make her way to the small screen. However, Lansing will become a mainstay at live tournaments located at casinos around the United States. Also receiving more exposure during Season 9 will be WPT hosts Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, who will now attend the starting day of every U.S. event. Despite the Bellagio Cup starting on Sunday, Van Patten sits in 101st after Day 2A of the World Series of Poker Main Event holding a stack of 174,200.
The WPT held a press conference on Saturday morning to announce the changes for Season 9 and also officially introduced Matt Savage as its Executive Tour Director. Savage, a co-founder of the Tournament Directors of America, will work hand in hand with players, casinos, and tournament staff to provide a seamless experience for WPT players. Savage added, “There are so many exciting changes at the World Poker Tour and I’m looking forward to having a big role in the WPT’s continued success. This is an amazing team and I’m proud to be working with them.”
Also debuting during Season 9 will be the Royal Flush Girls, who include 2007 Miss Kentucky USA Michelle Banzer, “FHM Singapore” cover girl Sunisa Kim, and Formula Drift car builder Melyssa Grace. All told, six Royal Flush Girls will film vignettes for WPT programming, including a behind-the-scenes tour at the host venue. The Royal Flush Girls will be on-hand this weekend at the Bellagio on the Las Vegas Strip.
The WPT last held an event on U.S. soil in April, when newly signed PokerStars pro David Williams took down the $25,000 Championship event. Williams defeated UB.com pro Eric “basebaldy” Baldwin heads-up in a final table that also included Shawn Buchanan, David Benyamine, Billy Baxter, and John O’Shea. Attendance for the 2010 WPT Championship was down over 40% from 2009, when 338 players took to the felts in a tournament won by Yevgeniy “Jovial Gent” Timoshenko.
The seventh and eighth seasons of the WPT appeared on Fox Sports Net. However, no official announcement has been given as to whether the ninth season will also air on the cable station, although a statement is expected in the near future. Seasons 1 through 5 of the WPT aired on the Travel Channel, followed by a brief hiatus to GSN for Season 6. GSN officials opted not to air Season 7, leading to WPT landing on Fox Sports Net.
Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest WPT news.
Tags: 2009, 2010, bellagio, buy-ins, David Benyamine, high stakes, interview, kara scott, pokerstars, tournament, usa, vegas, WSOP
WSOP High Profile: Jason Dewitt
Jason "JMaster130" Dewitt seems to have taken that to heart on Day 2b as he's fought his way into the top 10 chip counts as of the dinner break with over 200k.
"I'm feeling really good," he said. "I've only made one mistake over the last two days so if I can just keep that up I can make a very deep run."
Dewitt, originally from Indiana and now residing in Atlanta, made headlines this year when he won the $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for over $800,000 beating skilled online players like David Benefield, Amit Makhija and Jeff Williams.
It was a huge relief for the 26-year-old who had both a second and third place finish in the 2009 WSOP.
After snagging the $800k bracelet victory in the middle of the WSOP, Dewitt went 11 tournaments without cashing and felt he needed to change something.
"I decided to wear my bracelet and then I went deep and cashed in a tournament," he said. "It worked really well. People were just giving me stacks with my bracelet on."
It worked so well that Dewitt decided to continue the tradition during the Main Event and so far it's worked like a charm.
"They always think I'm making a move," he said.
It's all new ground for Dewitt, who has played four Main Events, never cashed, and only made Day 2 once. Despite his lack of success in the event Dewitt still feels very comfortable amongst the 7,319 players who entered.
"The structure in this is just so good," he said. "You can just be more patient if you're getting any good cards."
Dewitt mentioned there was only one nagging concern on his mind as he headed out for the dinner break.
"It's a pretty long grind," he said. "I'm kinda getting bored today."
The 2010 WSOP continues through July 17. For comprehensive coverage of the WSOP tune in to PokerListings' Live Updates and News.
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WSOP’s hottest rail girls - see the pictures
WSOP is not only for poker players. Also their fans and partners are very interested in tournament and poker masters. Here are some pics of pretty rail girls of the WSOP 2010…
-The Norwegian beauty Rachel Nordtømme.
-Isabella, the girlfriend of comedian Brad Garret.
-David Williams and the girlfriend (with the white bag)
-The US is an animal-friendly country: even the dogs are welcome to the casino!
-See you on the rail!
All these pictures are from Wicked Chops Poker’s comprehensive WSOP 2010 picture gallery which you can access in here.
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Jerome Bettis Interview with Poker News Daily at WSOP Ante Up for Africa
Last week, the annual Ante Up for Africa charity tournament played out at the 2010 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas. This time around, two well known pros battled it out in the finale, as Full Tilt’s Phil Gordon edged out Carbon Poker’s Shannon Elizabeth.
On the red carpet, Poker News Daily caught up with Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis, a former stud running back who final tabled the event and landed in sixth place for $22,000.
Poker News Daily: We’ve seen you on the PokerStars sponsored “Million Dollar Challenge,” Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown,” and other poker-related television programming. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
Jerome Bettis: I’m just going to enjoy it. Being retired, everything is sporadic, but I enjoy poker. Whenever I get a chance, I’ll try to get out and play a little more.
PND: This is the first time you’ve played in the Ante Up for Africa event, right?
Jerome Bettis: Yeah, it’s the first time I’ve been here. It’s also the first time I’ve been to the World Series and seen what it is. It’s pretty spectacular.
PND: What are your expectations heading into this event? Are you going to take it seriously or just go and have a good time?
Jerome Bettis: Whenever I sit down, I take it seriously, no question about it. But, I’m also about enjoyment, so I’ll take it seriously, but I’m also paying attention to what’s going on.
PND: We obviously have to ask you about your Pittsburgh Steelers this year. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is suspended for four games and wide receiver Santonio Holmes is now on the New York Jets. What are your expectations for their season?
Jerome Bettis: I think this is going to be a good year for the Steelers in the sense that it’s going to show them what type of team they are without Ben. Also, it’s going to help build the running game, which they need to do anyway. I think this becomes a pre-curser to the team they want to be. When Ben comes back, you’ll have a solid running game with a solid passing game and I think that makes for a championship caliber football team.
PND: If the Steelers were to call you up and say, “We need ‘The Bus.’ He’s our only hope,” would you go back?
Jerome Bettis: I’d tell them, “The Bus has four flat tires, so you don’t want me.”
2010 World Series of Poker Day 42: Jesper Hougaard, Cole South and Johnny Chan Among Leaders
Young tournament grinder Melanie “Callisto 5? Weisner is the newest Full Tilt Red Pro
Young beautiful female Melanie Weisner has signed a deal with Full Tilt Poker which means from now on she will carry the “Full Tilt Red Pro” title.
Weisner, a specialized tournament player, is known as “Callisto 5″ at PokerStars and as “Callisto” at Full Tilt. Callisto 5 has cashed more than $500,000 and her game balance is 120,000 dollars positive. Callisto’s Full Tilt account, in turn, is about $60k on the negative side.
According to the Hendon Mob this young star has cashed 110,000 dollars from live tournaments. Hopefully her example attracts more and more young female professionals to the poker circles so that we’ll get longed-for variation and challenge to this highly masculine game.
Sources: Parttimepoker, 2+2 and TheHendonMob
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Young tournament grinder Melanie “Callisto 5″ Weisner is the newest Full Tilt Red Pro