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

Related posts:

1. 2009 World Series of Poker – Week 3 in Pictures
2. 2009 World Series of Poker – Main Event Day 1b Pictures
3. 2009 World Series of Poker – Main Event Day 1a Pictures

Today brings together the survivors of Day 1a and Day 1b.  These lucky players will have to battle their way through 5 levels of poker today to end the day with chips for Day 3.  On a regular basis we will be hearing the dealer call of “all in and a call”.  Level 5 seems to be moving time for the players.

1,746 players begin the day and there are far too many members of Team Full Tilt to list but many of your favorites are slinging chips. Mike Matusow, Erik Seidel, Gus Hansen, Amanda Baker, Gavin Smith, Richard Brodie, Michael Craig, Jon “Pearljammer” Turner, Roland de Wolfe, and Vitaly Lunkin. Chris Ferguson begins Day 2a sitting at the secondary feature table to be broadcast by ESPN.

~

Day 1d also brought us the first decent bit of controversy during the Main Event when many players were shutout of the tournament when the day sold out.  Any players who thought they could be slick by showing up late to the final day one flight would walk away very disappointed.  Those who had a little forethought to register early for the biggest day would be the lucky ones with chips at the start of the day.

There was always going to be a hard cap on the number of players the Rio can reasonably seat in any one event.  We had several preliminary events sell out throughout the WSOP, there is only so much room to shoe horn tables.  Day 1d had Main Event players sitting in Amazon, Brasilia, and Miranda rooms as well as table in the Rio hallway outside the casino and the actual Rio poker room.  A full hour before the kickoff and there were just no more seats available to sell.

WSOP Commish Jeffrey Pollack gathered a few hundred of the players shutout (and a fair share of the media) to explain the situation.  He apologized but stated simply that they were unable to accomodate any more players in the event.

While there is plenty of finger pointing, I place most of the blame upon the players who waited too long to get themselves in the tournament.  There were quite a few empty seats in the first three days of the Main Event and more than enough time to get themselves registered.

Then again, it’s just my opinion.

~

Late in the evening during Day 1d, we were given the final number for the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event.  Every member of the “November Nine” will earn over $1,000,000.

2009 World Series of Poker Main Event
Number of players: 6,494
Total Prizepool: $61,043,600
Places Paid: 648
First Place: $8,546,435
(Complete payout structure after the jump)

1st – $8,546,435
2nd – $5,182,601
3rd – $3,479,485
4th – $2,502,787
5th – $1,953,395
6th – $1,587,133
7th – $1,404,002
8th – $1,300,228
9th – $1,263,602
10th through 12th – $896,730
13th through 15th – $633,022
16th through 18th – $500,557
19th through 27th – $352,832
28th through 36th – $253,941
37th through 45th – $178,857
46th through 54th – $138,568
55th through 63rd – $108,047
64th through 72nd – $90,344
73rd through 81st – $68,979
82nd through 90th – $57,991
91st through 99th – $47,003
100th through 162nd – $40,288
163rd through 225th – $36,626
226th through 288th – $32,963
289th through 360th – $29,911
361st through 432nd – $27,469
433rd through 504th – $25,027
505th through 576th – $23,196
577th through 648th – $21,365

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 World Series of Poker Day 42 – Combo Platter #1

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1. 2009 World Series of Poker Day 41 – It’s a sellout

Some of the celebrities making an appearance were Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Jason Alexander, Brad Garrett, Sarah Silverman, Jennifer Tilly, and rapper Nelly. Athletes Marlon Shirley, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith, and Mike Tyson were also battling it out. Of course all the top poker pros donated their time and money to the cause.

I’ve posted a few pictures from the day for your entertainment.

Mike Matusow and Chau Giang kid around during the tournament

Good Will Hunting co-stars Matt Damon and Ben Affleck hang with Marco Traniello before the tournament began

WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack meets with Don Cheadle

More photos after the jump:

This tournament was a little more laid back than most. Jennifer Harman and Phil Gordon enjoy their time at the tables.

Don Cheadle, Jennifer Harman, and rapper Nelly before the tournament

Actor Joe Reitman plays in the tournament. In the background you can see part of the huge rail full of fans who came out to see their favorite stars and pros.

Chris “Jesus” Ferguson and Paralympic gold medalist Marlon Shirley

David Singer and Sarah Silverman

Charles Barkley joins poker power couple Marco Traniello and Jenn Harman

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 World Series of Poker – Ante Up for Africa Pictures

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1. 2009 World Series of Poker – Main Event Day 1b Pictures
2. 2009 World Series of Poker – Days 1c and 1d Pictures
3. 2009 World Series of Poker – Week 2 in Pictures

All images credited to IMDPI.

Pictures after the jump, click to enlarge.

Eli Elezra playing in the 2009 World Series of Poker Event #3 Limit Omaha/8.
He would go on to cash in 20th place.

Fellow Full Tilt blogger Michael Craig playing in Event # 4 “Stimulus Special”

2007 WSOP Main Event Champion Jerry Yang in The Champions Invitational, which was new to the 200 World Series of Poker.  The tournament featured former WSOP Main Event winners. Tom McEvoy eventually won the Binion’s Cup.

Poker legend Ted Forrest was eliminated in 9th at the final table of the $40,000 No Limit Hold’em Event #2.  An event to honor the 40th Anniversary of the World Series of Poker, the field was stacked with some of the best players in the world.

Prior to the 2009 World Series of Poker, there were thoughts that this would be the year of the Russian poker players.  Full Tilt pro Vitaly Lunkin started on the right foot by winning the $40,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament.

The $40,000 No Limit Hold’em tournament was one of final tables to be broadcast by ESPN.  Winner Vitaly Lunkin is sitting in front of his piles of cash and giving the traditional Norm Chad post-victory interview.

Jeff Madsen ponders his action during Day 1B of the $1,000 “Stimulus Special”.
Gavin Smith in the foreground.

Amanda “Mandy B” Baker playing on Day 2 of the $1,000 “Stimulus Special”.  She would go on a great run but finish in 33rd.  $22,000 return on her $1,000 investment.

Allen Cunningham ponders the action during the $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha tournament

Erick Lindgren starts Day 2 of the World Championship Seven Card Stud

Erica Schoenberg playing in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Event #7

Between hands in the No Limit 2-7 Draw tournament, Chris Ferguson takes time to play some games on his phone

Phil Ivey plays Day 2 of the No Limit 2-7 Draw tournament.
Bracelet number 6 is just days away.

Phil Ivey eyes up bracelet number 6 during NL 2-7 Draw final table.
He would win it eventually after a 3 hour heads-up battle with John Monnette.

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 World Series of Poker – The Week in Pictures

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1. 2009 World Series of Poker – Week 3 in Pictures
2. 2009 World Series of Poker – Week 4 in Pictures
3. 2009 World Series of Poker – Week 5 in Pictures

The goals and tasks of the challenge are designed to build proper habits with your bankroll as you work to build it through responsible play in cash games, SNGs and large field tournaments. Games that you should be able to beat with your skill set without risking your entire roll on a bad run at the tables. These bad runs will happen, it’s a matter of when not if. Sitting down to cash games with no more than 5% of your roll or an even smaller percentage in tournaments. As you bankroll goes up, you gain valuable experience and prepare you for the move up in levels.

It’s a proven method to improve your game and a worthy Academy Challenge. Details and my experiences after the jump.

The challenge started with the following tasks to be completed in any order:

1. Play 2 cash game hold ‘em sessions of 30 hands or more where your buy-in is less than 5% of your Full Tilt bankroll.
2. Play 2 cash game sessions where you buy in for 5% or less of your bankroll and leave the table having realized a profit.
3. Play 5 9-handed S&Gs where you buy in for less than 5% of your Full Tilt bankroll. Buy-in amount includes the entry fee.
4. Play 1 MTT where your buy-in is no more than 2% of your bankroll. Buy-in amount includes the entry fee.
5. The Pro Play -  Increase your Full Tilt Poker bankroll by 25%.

Obviously tasks 3 and 4 were the easiest to accomplish. All that was needed was to buyin to 5 SNGS and 1 MTT at those levels to be successful. The lower level Sit N Go’s went pretty much the same of my previous challenge although I popped out on the bubble but had a win and a third. Tasks 1 and 2 brought around a bit of the grind. Obviously it was possible to complete both tasks with winning sessions.

For the cash game portion, I picked good old fashioned limit hold’em as my game of choice for this challenge, basically because I did not feel like playing push monkey poker at the micro-level. Like most online players who have been around for a long time, I cut my teeth on straight up limit hold’em where the grind was the thing. Pot odds and implied odds and expected value were the keywords and David Sklansky’s Theory of Poker was every player’s first read. Mother Variance was a deity.

ABC Poker. ABC Poker. I forced myself to repeat those words often as the orbits piled up. There is little need for fancy play at these levels as none of your moves will be respected and the mortal nuts will generally get multiple callers all the way down. Boring poker but winning poker. I ran well with a decent strategy to come away as a winner in 3 out of my 4 cash game sessions, posting a respectable BB/hour rate. For the challenge I referred to some of the points in the Micro-limit strategy posts from Gracie and GCox.

I suppose the Pro Play is designed to be the toughest and meant to really make you move your bankroll up in the right direction using discipline.  There was no huge amount of grinding necessary this time around, however, as I picked up a big win in the 84 player Mookie tournament to complete that task in one swoop.

With that my Full Tilt Poker Academy Bankroll Management Challenge was complete.  I’ve begun looking over the lessons, sessions and challenge for my next step along in the academy.  I’m leaning towards Pre-flop play or the Power of Position.

Other posts about the Full Tilt Poker Academy and challenges:

Full Tilt Poker Academy – A First Look
Full Tilt Poker Academy – First Challenge
Full Tilt Poker Academy – Pre-flop Play Challenge

Post from: Poker From The Rail

Full Tilt Poker Academy – Bankroll Management Challenge

Related posts:

1. Full Tilt Poker Academy – First Challenge
2. Full Tilt Poker Academy – Pre-Flop Play Challenge
3. Full Tilt Poker Academy – Five Common Hold ‘em Leaks

I heard awhile ago that we were about to see the launch of the Full Tilt Poker Academy and I was pretty excited.  I know the principle people involved in the project, leaving little doubt that the new site would be impressive and educational.  The roster of players involved alone guarantees an increase in poker understanding in just a few sessions.

At first glance you can find four short lessons that will kick start your game:

Chris Ferguson – Bankroll Managment
Andy Bloch – Math Made Easy
Howard Lederer – Betting Basics
Phil Gordon – 5 Common Hold’em Leaks

There are other lessons, sessions with the pros where they walk you through their actions in specific hands, podcasts with various players, and different challenges to test your new skills on the Full Tilt Poker tables.

I’ve only spent a few hours digging deep into the Academy to get my initial response.  I will spend the next few days really getting into the material and bring you my thoughts in my next post.  I am also looking for other players/bloggers interested in sharing their thoughts.  If you would like to contribute, you can leave a comment on the blog or send an email to battleofthebloggers@fulltiltpoker.com.

Other posts about the Full Tilt Poker Academy and challenges:

Full Tilt Poker Academy – First Challenge
Full Tilt Poker Academy – Bankroll Management Challenge
Full Tilt Poker Academy – Pre-flop Play Challenge

Post from: Poker From The Rail

Full Tilt Poker Academy – A first look

Related posts:

1. Full Tilt Poker Academy – First Challenge
2. Full Tilt Poker Academy – Bankroll Management Challenge
3. Full Tilt Poker Academy – Five Common Hold ‘em Leaks

They are in Day 4 of the WPT LA Poker Classic Main Event at the Commerce Casino and Chris Ferguson is leading the way amongst the Full Tilt pros. The $10,000 buyin tournament drew 696 players with a first place prize over $1,600,000. The bubble burst at the end of Day 3 with Nick Schulman, Greg Mueller, Erica Schoenberg, and David Pham joining Ferguson in making the money.

In other news, new Full Tilt pro Vivek Rajkumar outlasted 111 other players to win the inaugural LA Poker Classic Heads Up tournament before the Main Event kicked off. Rajkumar came out of the loser bracket of the event and defeated fellow Tilter David Oppenheim en route the final table. This is yet another big win in the young pros career which started with an event when last year at the LAPC. I was able to witness his biggest win, taking down the 2008 Borgata Poker Open Main Event in September for $1,400,000 and the shortest (per hand) WPT final table.

A fine addition to the fold.

Post from: Poker From The Rail

2009 LA Poker Classic update

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1. 2008 Five Diamond Poker Classic Day 4
2. 2008 Five Diamond Poker Classic Day 3
3. 2009 WPT World Championship update

Tonight’s show will focus on Event #2, a $1,500 No-Limit Hold ‘em donkament. Team Full Tilt’s Chris Ferguson is there to represent, as he guns for his sixth WSOP bracelet. So make sure to catch all the action and cheer Chris on from the comfort of your own home. Check your local listings to find out when the WSOP airs, or go to ESPN.com for more details.

As an added bonus, I heard that Full Tilt Poker pro Perry Friedman (who narrowly missed making the final table of Event #2, coming in 11^th) actually had an FTP logo shaved in to the side of his head. If that doesn’t deserve a few seconds of air time, I don’t know what does. That’s it for now; we’ll have an all new The Pros Speak up for your enjoyment in a bit. Stay classy Pokerland…

Post from: Poker From The Rail

The Week at FTP: A Friendly WSOP Reminder

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1. The Week at FTP: Yes, Still WSOP
2. WSOP Edition
3. ESPN 2009 WSOP Main Event Broadcast Day 8

I’ve left plenty of other jobs before. Some, I’ve liked – others, not so much. But I can honestly say that I’ve never had a job that, at its base level, was as cool, fun and entertaining as this gig has been day in and day out. In my book, that’s pretty high praise but, then again, I’m a cynical bastard at heart.

Don’t get me wrong. Like any job, there have been days when I’d have liked nothing more than to chuck my keyboard out the window and head for the closest bar. In fact, I may even have done just that on an occasion or two (sorry K-Rich), but when all is said and done, I’ve spent the last 40+ months immersed in all things poker. How can I really complain?

If I wasn’t already a fan of poker before I started working here, having the opportunity to meet and befriend pros like Howard Lederer, Chris Ferguson and Andy Bloch certainly would have made me one. Just having been able to sit with these guys and listen to them talk about their strategies and approaches to the game is an education that every serious – and aspiring – player should experience. The fact that they’re all pretty cool guys was just icing on the cake.

Speaking of cool folks, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my fellow inmates at the asylum we call The Rail. I couldn’t ask for a better backing band than the crew that’s worked with me day in and day out in an effort to keep you, our reader, entertained and informed. I’ll be sad to leave them behind, but I know this blog will flourish in the capable hands and paws of the Inuit, the Captain, and that angriest of monkeys. Good luck to you all and may HDouble have mercy on your souls.

As for me, I’m heading out to stu… wha?! I’m heading off to play stud? Shit! Can someone find me Keith Sexton’s number? Or Friedman’s? Come on… someone’s gotta know where to find Perry….

Anyway… I’ll see you all down the road. It’s been fun. Thanks for reading.

Big Donkey

Post from: Poker From The Rail

Greener Pastures

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They’re making a freakin’ poker musical. Why, oh why must this be? Who in Hell(muth) thought this was a good idea? Uh, yeah, that’s right. Phil Hellmuth is credited as one of the “masterminds” behind what I can only guess will be a bigger disaster than the sinking of the Titanic, the burning of the Hindenberg, and the pregnancy of Jessica Alba combined.

But wait, before I rant too hard or too long on this subject, let’s take a look at what the show is really about. According the official press release, All In is a “fast paced, witty, very sexy, and fun show about the final nine players at the World Series of Poker who are real people from all walks of life.” Sounds thrilling so far, doesn’t it?

The release goes on to state that the show’s “clearly identifiable characters sing songs that are chock full of double entendres, poker analogies, quotes, lingo, and suggestive situations.” Oooh… reserve my seats now. Front row center, please, because I want to be as close to the rail as possible.

So, without any idea of what the actual script or on-stage production may look like, here’s a little of what I’m expecting:

• The “easily identifiable characters” will be ankle deep caricatures of some of the game’s most colorful players like “The Poker Punk” (Hellmuth), “Pammie Knight” (Duke), “Jehovah” (Ferguson), and more
• A pivotal, dramatic moment will occur when the Poker Punk crashes his motorcycle after staging a self-promotional exhibition that features him jumping over Humberto “The Chark” Brenes
• Musical highlights will include Knight’s big solo, “I’m Holding (Your) Nuts” and the closing number, “It’s All Over, Baby” featuring the Scotty Nguyen dancers

Honestly though, if there’s one thing the poker world doesn’t need right now, it’s a musical. I mean really, does anyone think that this is going to convince anyone to take poker players more seriously? Is this really the image the game wants to be sending when there’s still political fighting over the UIGEA going on in Washington and 60 Minutes cameras are filming at the Rio? Personally, I don’t think so.

As far as I can tell, this is nothing more than another ploy for Caesars, Hellmuth and everyone else involved to try and cash in on the four-month final table delay they’ve instituted for this year’s Main Event Final table. Come on, can’t you see the marketing now?

Why wait for November to see how the final table plays out? Visit the Rio Hotel in Vegas this fall to experience all of the highs, lows, and drama of the final table while enjoying a nice 32oz Porterhouse from our exclusive Poker Kitchen. Experience it all for just $59.95.

Look, I’m all for improving poker’s image and expanding the game’s base to as many potential players as possible, but I just don’t think a poker musical is gonna do the job. Who aside from the most dedicated poker-tards would even be interested in such a thing? What makes the producers think that anyone who isn’t already remotely interested in the game is going to understand the quotes and lingo they so proudly tout as an integral part of the show?

Maybe I’m wrong, but my guess is that the millions of dollars that have been sunk into this (Hellmuth wouldn’t be involved in a “cheap” production) could be better spent on something worthwhile like supporting the PPA or attracting a better class of working girl to the Rio for the Main Event. You know… something real poker players would appreciate.

Post from: Poker From The Rail

Singing, Dancing and Jumping the Chark

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