Poker From The Rail» Beth Shak

2009 World Series of Poker – Day 2a Pictures

AlCantHang — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:15:00 +0000

Sometimes things just go way over the top when you’re dealing with the biggest poker tournament in the world. You’ll see some crazy things along the rails, loud player disagreements, whack jobs dressed in all types of getups looking for camera attention. Then you have the times when a table pulls the attention of every player and media outlet in the room.

Actor/comedian Brad Garrett drew a table that was far away from the rail and virtually in the center of the blue section. 5 time bracelet and 1984 Main Event winner Berry Johnston was also at the table. Garrett was laughing it up with the players at the table and anyone who would listen. To the point where his table was completely surrounded by every media outlet with a badge to get there. Witness the picture above and below.

Before long players at the other tables were begging the floor staff to deal with the situation. It will certainly make good TV for ESPN when it airs, but neither Garrett or Johnston would move on to Day 3.

Images from the rest of Day 2a after the jump:

96 year old Jack Ury continues to extend his record as the oldest player in the Main Event.
He would unfortunately exit early in Day 2a.

Greg “FBT” Mueller continues his WSOP hot streak.
He finished Day 2a with 287,300 in chips, good for 12th of 607.

One of the more entertaining tables of the day with Billy “The Croc” Argryos and Gavin Smith, neither player would survive to see Day 3.

Full Tilt stalwarts Chris Ferguson and Mike Matusow has different runs during Day 2a of the Main Event. Matusow is signing copies of his new book after busting out while Ferguson will enter Day 3 with 76,000 in chips.

Beth Shak entered Day 2a with a respectable 25,000 in chips but was another victim of the day.

Both Fabrice Soulier and Roland de Wolfe were able to dodge the minefields of Day 2a.
Soulier will start Day 3 with 145,800 and de Wolfe with just 21,000.

Poker From the Rail favorite Amanda “Mandy B” Baker entered the day with over 56,000 in chips but was unable to make Day 3. No more photo ops til the next time.

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 World Series of Poker – Day 2a Pictures

2009 World Series of Poker – Main Event Day 1a Pictures

AlCantHang — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:38:50 +0000

Perry Friedman rocks the Full Tilt Poker “grill” to go with his corn rows

I’ve generally stuck to doing a “Week in Pictures” during the preliminary events of the WSOP but I now realize that I’ll be getting more photos than I know what to do with now that we’ve come to the Main Event. So now we’re going to switch up to daily posts as long as we continue to get quality images.

Day 1a started with 1,116 and finished with 821 players. A good number of Team Full Tilt survived to see Day 2.

More photos after the jump:

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 World Series of Poker – Main Event Day 1a Pictures

2009 World Series of Poker – Week 2 in Pictures

AlCantHang — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:32:09 +0000

We’ve put another week of the 2009 World Series of Poker in the books with more craziness. The crowds continue to storm the hallways of the Amazon Room looking for a table and a chance. The crazies are starting to make their way onto the scene, pros and amateurs are mingling together with a common goal, chip runners stay busy 24 hours a day.

While all this is going on, the good folks at Image Masters continue to provide us with some great action shots during the tournaments. Every morning I receive pictures from the day before that I use to enhance the stories I try to bring the readers. I hope they’ve added to the experience.

Today I bring you some photos from Week 2 of the 2009 World Series of Poker without my ramblings. A small taste of what we have available, look for a full gallery coming in the next few days. All pictures courtesy of Image Masters.

Pictures after the jump, click to enlarge:

The Two Faces of Andy Black
Andy Black started off the 2009 World Series of Poker with players talking about his play AND his appearance. He seemed to be rocking the beard and laid back look at the beginning and looked completely different during Week 2. Your investigative blogger will get to the bottom of this before the end of the series.

Phil Ivey collects World Series of Poker bracelet #6 at the daily ceremony from WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack.

Phil Ivey wasted no time after winning his 6th WSOP bracelet. He hopped right back into action. Full Tilt pro Beth Shak in the foreground and may be the recipient of the Ivey stare.

Legends side-by-side. Erik Seidel and Mike Sexton grinding away in Event #15 of the 2009 World Series of Poker. Seidel came close to winning his 9th WSOP bracelet in the Pot Limit Hold’em tournament had to settle for a seventh place finish. Seidel is tied with another legend, Johnny Moss, with 8 WSOP bracelets.

Svetlana Gromenkova and Karina Jett were just a few of the Full Tilt pros to represent in the 2009 World Series of Poker Ladies Championship. Gromenkova won this event in 2008 but was unable to defend her title.

“Miami” John Cernuto and John Juanda playing in Event #16 $1,500 Seven Card Stud tournament. “Miami” John would put up a great fight ending up in 11th. Juanda had his first shot at bracelet number 5 by making the final table. Juanda’s run ended with a 5th place finish.

Howard Lederer playing in the $10,000 Mixed World Championship. It’s been a slow start to the series for “The Professor” this year with only one cash to date. No doubt he’ll be a factor as the series progresses.

Both David Chiu and Huck Seed won their way to the final table of the $10,000 Mixed Championship with a chance to add to their jewelry collection. Seed collected over $102,000 for his 5th place finish and Chiu was the runner up for $304,000 but no new trophies on his wrist.

Erica Schoenberg only has one cash in the 2009 World Series of Poker but continues her search for a WSOP bracelet. As a railbird favorite, she is always easy to find in the poker room.

It’s never a dull moment when Perry Friedman is in the poker room. He started the series by sporting a “Full Tilt Poker grill” (gold hip hop teeth things for us uncool folk) and he added a little twist in Week 2. It’s tough to see but he rocking the cornrows on each side of his head with Full Tilt spelled out in beads. Who knows what to expect in Week 3.

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 World Series of Poker – Week 2 in Pictures

Beth Shak Charity Tournament

AlCantHang — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:55:19 +0000

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a charity poker tournament hosted by Dan and Beth Shak. The “All in” for Kids Poker Tournament was to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Participants included poker legends Phil Ivey, Phil Hellmuth and Annie Duke along with celebrity chef Bobby Flay and ex-pro athletes Ricky Bottalico and Mike Quick.

The 120 players donated $5,000 each to enter the event along with $500 rebuys and a double add-on after the first 90 minutes. Throw in a silent auction and money-raising prop bets at the table and the players raised over $825,000 for the hospital’s Center for Palliative Medicine.

More details after the jump including video interviews with Beth Shak, Phil Ivey, and Phil Hellmuth discussing Peter Eastgate taking his record for youngest WSoP Main Event Winner.

I’ve attended my fair share of poker tournaments over the last few months but I don’t think I’ll ever see another $5k event that will quite live up to this one. This was purely an exercise in philanthropy as there was no cash money paid out, the winner would have naming rights to the new Center for Palliative Medicine at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Held on the 36th floor of the Manadrin Oriental in NYC, the night was more of a party then a tournament. Hellmuth spent as much time MC’ing the action as he did playing his hands, they spread a world class buffet including a sushi chef and the two open bars were hoping right up to the point of shutting down. Phil Ivey bid on and won a used watch during the auction for $27,000 apparently just because he wanted to make sure an opponent did not walk away with it. Beth Shak continued to prompt and prod players to make additional donations as the players began to move all-in. One player reportedly promised another $50,000 to the charity if the dealer would be kind enough to provide him with the needed 3 outter. The dealer pealed off an Ace on the river and the gentleman pulled out his checkbook.

It was a great time held for a great cause. During the course of the evening we were able to get some interviews and I’ll wrap up by passing them along.

Beth Shak discusses her charity event

Phil Ivey at the “All in” for Kids Charity Poker Tournament

Phil Hellmuth talks about losing his record as youngest WSoP Main Event Winner

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Beth Shak Charity Tournament

Beth Shak hosting charity poker tournament

AlCantHang — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:40:39 +0000

Beth Shak will host “All in” for Kids Poker Tournament

During my time in Vegas during the 2008 World Series of Poker I spent some time like everyone else walking through the Expo center to see what kind of exhibits and swag were around. Sitting in the middle of gargantuan energy drink spokes-models and every poker publication in existence was a small booth handing out mints and information cards about a charity poker game called “All in” for Kids Tournament. Upon closer inspection I found that the tournament was being run to benefit Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Being from the Philadelphia area I’ve had more than my fare share of experience with this great hospital.

The tournament is being hosted by Dan and Beth Shak. Scheduled to play are Phil Ivey and Annie Duke as well as other professional athletes and celebrities.

More information after the jump.

The “All in” for Kids Poker Tournament will be held on Wednesday, November 12th in New York City. The grand prize winner will receive a naming opportunity in the Center for Palliative Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The tournament is limited to a 120 player field which is quickly filling up.

Information pulled directly from their website:

Overview: The “All in” for Kids Poker Tournament will be held at the Mandarin Oriental New York on Wednesday, November 12, 2008. Celebrities, athletes and professional poker players will join Hospital board members, grateful families and donors for this exclusive event. The Tournament is limited to only 120 players.

Charity Tournament Details: The “All in” for Kids Poker Tournament is played using rules of a No Limit Hold ‘Em charity tournament. Participants make a recommended donation to the Hospital to play. During the first three levels of play, players will have the option to “re-buy” $5,000 in chips with an additional donation. The 2008 grand prizewinner of the “All in” for Kids Poker Tournament will receive a naming opportunity in the Center for Palliative Medicine at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Benefiting The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia: At the forefront of pediatric medical research, teaching and patient care, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has consistently ranked #1 in the nation by Child Magazine and U.S. News & World Report. Since its start in 1855 as the nation’s first hospital for children, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has fostered medical discoveries and innovations that have improved pediatric healthcare and saved countless lives around the world.

The Shak’s have long been active with charity functions and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is a wonderful facility worthy of their support. If you have the means or opportunity to add a little good karma, I suggest you giving a closer look to this event as either a player or sponsor.

WHEN
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
7:00 p.m. – Poker Tutorial
7:30 p.m. – Poker Tournament

WHERE
Mandarin Oriental
80 Columbus Circle at 60th St.
New York, NY

CONTACT
Patrick Feeley
feeley@email.chop.edu
267.426.6483

Post from: Poker From The Rail

Beth Shak hosting charity poker tournament

Bloggers On The Rail – Borgata Poker Open update

AlCantHang — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 16:13:02 +0000

Beth Shak started Day 2 with +$100,000

Halfway through Day 2 and things are starting to slow down. A third of the 300 players were eliminated during the first level including Michael Gracz, Kristy Gazes and John D’Agostino. Once the short stacks were eliminated the action slowed back down.

The local hockey fans/players were happy to see Philadelphia Flyer right-winger Scottie Upshall take a monster pot from a former shall-not-be-named former WSoP Champion.

Robert Mizrachi, “Miami John” Cernuto and Beth Shak are still working their tables although David “Dragon” Pham was recently eliminated when his aces were cracked by KJ.

Post from: Poker From The Rail

Bloggers On The Rail – Borgata Poker Open update

Heads Up: Gus Hansen Versus Beth Shak

One Angry Monkey — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:01:21 +0000

Another week means another round of the Full Tilt Poker Heads-Up Challenge is set to commence. Sure, the National Heads-Up Championship just took place and “March Madness” is about to tip off today (my money is on Boise State – go Broncos!), but I still say that we’re the best and most exciting single elimination tourney around. Today’s bout is the last of our two versus 15 matchups, with Gus “The Wilt Chamberlain of Poker” Hansen taking on Beth “I can do a lot of things with poker chips (wink, wink)” Shak. Check out the full bracket below, on to the showdown:

Category	Gus Hansen	Beth Shak	Survey Says
Career Earnings	Almost $5.5 million	More than $380K	Granted, Shak has only been playing poker for about three years now. But if we gave her 30 years would she ever have the chance to catch up with Hansen? We say no. Round one goes to the Great Dane.
Major Titles	Four WPT Titles	None	Beth may very well win a major tourney one of these days. Until then, we’ll accept no excuses for her having no bling to fling. Gus two, Beth zero.
Tournament Play	Probably one of the best tourney players in the world.	Shak is an up and comer on the tourney circuit, nearly winning her first bracelet at the 2007 WSOP.	As much as we love a good up and comer around here (wink, wink, nudge, nudge, say no more), Shak-alicious really stands no chance against Gus in this category. Hansen has proven time and again that he’s always a player to be watched in any tourney. The beat down continues – Hansen three, Shak zippo.
Cash Game Play	Plays with the big boys at the Bellagio.	Not known as a cash game player, but anyone can learn, right?	The way Gus throws his money around on the table at Full Tilt Poker, especially with PLO, is both amazing and disgusting to us all. The only time we like to toss around hundreds of thousands of dollars is when we make it “rain” money on the strippers at the club. Except for The All-In-Uit of course, who prefers to make her money rain on Patrik Antonius. What was I saying? Oh yeah, score another point for Hansen.
Playing Style	Loosey Goosey	Tighty Whitey	Tighty Whitey having no racial implications, of course. We just like words that rhyme with other words. Like booze and cruise, and Keeley Hazell and painful erection. At any rate, we haven’t seen the Shak-tastic one play enough to really judge her style, so we’ll go with Hansen on this one just to be safe. We always love a player who’s willing to go with any two cards at any time. Hansen five, Shak still at nada.
Table Talk	Charmingly disarming	Philly fly	Gus is so charming with his table talk that he could probably talk the panties off Clonie Gowen and steal her chips at the same time (somewhere, Michael Craig’s head has just exploded). Shak-erino talks with that fly Philly lisp, but it’s just no match for Hansen. The blanking continues.
Nickname	The Great Dane	The Shak Attack	The Great Dane? Isn’t that like a breed of dog or something? Oh wait, I get it. It’s because he’s Danish, right? Meanwhile, The Shak Attack might be the best nickname on the market right about now. Who cares if we made it up? Let’s just hope it sticks. Shak stops the bleeding − the score stands at six to one for Gus.
Outside Poker	Likes to make time for the ladies.	Likes to make time for her children and designing dresses (and other attire) made from poker chips.	We’re all for people who spend time with their children and do crazy things with poker chips. Then again, we’re also all about the ladies (note: The All-In-Uit once again wishes to express that she isn’t all about the ladies, but wouldn’t mind getting her mittens on Patrik Antonius). Hmmm, I wonder who we’ll go with here. The ladies’ man wins another round.
Number of Children	Unknown	Five	As far as we’re concerned, Gus Hansen might have a child in every country of the world. Which would make for like 22, right? Whatever the number is, it’s surely higher than the pitiful five children that Shak-alaka-ding-dong has pushed out. Gus cements his victory with another firm implantation (to his score that is).

So there you have it people – Gus “The Sperminator” Hansen takes down Beth Shak-tacular by a score of eight to one. Hey, it wasn’t a flawless victory, but it was close. Check back next week for some more fun and games…

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Heads Up: Gus Hansen Versus Beth Shak