The 37th World Series of Poker
The 37th World Series of Poker is winding down after six exciting and dramatic weeks. Today, the Final Table of the Main Event is being staged. The lucky nine will grind it out for the television cameras, and poker history. Each of them is guaranteed over a million dollars. That’s pretty good for a few days of play, but of course, these finalists have vanquished 8,764 of the world’s best.Speaking of the world’s best, Phil Hellmuth won his tenth WSOP bracelet in the $1,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em Event, becoming only the third player (with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan) to hold that distinction. Doyle, by the way, celebrated his 30th WSOP appearance this year.
Jeff Madsen, 21, shot to poker stardom earning two first and two third place finishes. Remarkably, his wins came in three different games - Omaha, Stud and Hold ‘Em. That mitigates the luck factor, proving he is truly a prodigy. In three weeks time, he collected $1,467,852.
Chip Reese won the $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. Event against a field of superstars. That qualifies him as the best of the best.
As to the ladies, professional Sabyl Cohen was the highest ranking woman in the Main Event, coming in 56th for $123,699. Grandmother Clare Miller won the Seniors Event and cried when she accepted her bracelet and her quarter of a million dollars. You go, girls!
Cathedral City’s Randy North made it through 2½ days of the Main Event then busted out just short of the money. I, too, went out “on the bubble” in the Ladies Event. I can commiserate with Randy - getting knocked out of the WSOP feels like a train wreck.
No doubt that this is The Big Show. Poker enthusiasts from around the globe make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas to soak up the intensity, passion, and adventure that only the World Series of Poker provides.
There’s one more highlight to report. For the first time in WSOP history, the $100,000 chip was put into play. The chip’s coloring was described by tournament directors as “mint green with chocolate.” My kind of candy.
http://www.thedesertsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006608090309
