Possibly the most important piece
of information (specific to tournament
poker) that you can have is knowing the
relative value of the chips in your stack.
As the blinds increase, the ratio of your
chip stack to the level of blinds and antes
goes down.
This ratio is referred to as your M
(coined by poker and backgammon
wizard Paul Magriel) and is a crucial
factor in how you play, especially
towards the end of a tournament.
Calculating your M is simple.
Figure out the cost of one orbit
around the table.
(Blinds 100/200 - Cost = 300)
Divide your chip stack by
the cost of one orbit.
(Stack=3000 divided by 300 = 10,
your M is 10)
Your math doesnt need to be exact.
I know its not easy for me to calculate
in my head 4675 divided by 800, but i know
its roughly 6, and thats close enough.
What this tells you is the number of
times around the table you can survive
(assuming you dont play a hand) before
you are blinded out.
When your M is large, you can play any
game you choose, tight, loose, crazy.
When your M is low, you have few options.
You need to get chips or you'll be out of
the tournament.
There are times during a tournament
where you have to make a move.
You're falling behind and you have to
get more chips or risk being blinded away.
These are referred to as Inflection Points.
If i recall right from high school science
class, an inflection point is a spot on a
graph where it changes direction,
either up or down. During a tournament,
there comes a time when our chip stack
is either going to go up or go down
because we need to make a move to
aquire chips to keep our stack healthy.
So at what M are you safe and what M
are you in danger and how can we use
this to keep the blinds and antes from
eating us alive ?
Dan Harrington in Harrington on Holdem II
recommends using a zone system to gauge
where you are and when to make a move
based on your M. ("the Pot" refers to total
of blinds & antes before any action is taken)
GREEN Zone --- 20+ times the Pot
This is where you want to be as much as
possible. All playing styles and moves are
available to you. You are fully functional
and should be willing to take some risks
to stay here.
YELLOW Zone --- 10-20 times the Pot
As you go from green to yellow you lose
the ability to play tight conservative poker.
The blinds are starting to catch you and
you have to start making moves with
some weaker hands. Dont let yourself
be wittled away. Avoid getting into big
confrontations that can consume a big
chunk or your stack. Try to win some
small pots to atleast stay even with the
increasing blinds.
ORANGE Zone --- 6-10 times the Pot
You lose the ability to make complex moves
that require a large stack size to succeed.
Its time to get more aggressive. If you wait
too long for a monster hand, your stack may
be too small to be useful to you. In this zone
you need to conserve your chips for big moves
that can double you up. Look for opportunities
to be first in the pot to try and win it outright,
but get out if you encounter resistance.
RED Zone --- 1-5 times the Pot
You've lost any ability to make a bet other
than all in, and thats what your bets should
mostly be, all in pre-flop or fold. Even going
all in, your stack might not be big enough
to scare away other players after you've
made this move a number of times.
Hand selection should be liberal.
Any Pairs, Any two Face Cards, Suited
Connectors. Being first in the pot is
probably as important as your cards,
especially if several players fold in front
of you. You need to be very aggressive here
if you want to have any chance at coming
back and making it to the end of the tournament.
When you're toughing it out in the Red zone,
remember Harrington's 3-to-1 rule which
essentially says if your M = 3, you're first in
the pot, and you figure your opponents will
fold 50% of the time, put your chips in the middle.
There is one final zone called the
DEAD Zone --- Less than 1 times the pot
You should NEVER let yourself get to
this zone by folding and being blinded away.
In the Dead Zone, you appear to be alive but
you are not. You should have made your move
long before now (when doubling / tripling up will
make a real difference in the health of your
chip stack) You have only one move which is
all-in and players will call you just to get rid of
you and end your misery. You should pick any
2 cards with any kind of potential and be the
First In The Pot, dont wait for the big blind
to come around to you. Being first in is
more important than your cards. This will
cause some players to fold marginal hands
to your little all-in because they may fear
someone coming over the top with a big bet
behind them.
In the later stages of most of the Premier Tour
events in London, all players will be in
the Orange or Red Zones. Because of the fairly
small fields, the total chips in play might only
be 120,000... with an average stack of around
10,000 and with the blinds and antes at
300/1000/2000, most M's would be around 1- 4.
When Everyone is basically in the same
low M situation, those on the top end of the scale...
say an M of 4 or 5 should act like they're in the
Orange zone.
Those with M's of 1 or 2 are really and
truly in danger and need to follow the
Red Zone guidelines.
It is more important that you understand
the concept of M and the necessity of making
a move before your chips lose their power,
than it is to follow these zone guidelines exactly.
8/15/2007
8/11/2007
Premier Poker Tour
Lots of great poker being played on
the Premier Poker Tour. Be sure to
come out to some of the events and
show everyone just how good you
are at the game !
the Premier Poker Tour. Be sure to
come out to some of the events and
show everyone just how good you
are at the game !
7/27/2007
Cheats Busted at Borgata Casino
by Amy Calistri
This week the New Jersey Attorney
General's office released details
on the arrests of four individuals
involved in a poker-related cheating
scam at the Borgata Hotel Casino
& Spa in Atlantic City on June 7.
A noted casino-industry cheating
expert, Steve Forte, along with
Joseph T. Ingargiola, Stephen
Phillips, and James C. Harrison,
have been charged with using a
computer and cheating devices
to commit theft, attempted theft
by deception and conspiracy.
All defendants are currently
free on bail.
The four men allegedly were involved
in a scheme that involved luring
high-stakes poker players to a
Borgata hotel room which was fitted
with hidden cameras. The cameras
were placed in a manner such that
players' hole cards were visible.
There were also instances where marked
decks of cards were employed.
The NJ Attorney General's Office
also alleged that the men were
using computer simulation programs
to calculate their odds in any given
hand.
According to his website,
defendant Steve Forte is president
of his own consulting company,
International Gaming Protection,
and lists many of the nation's
largest casinos as his clients.
Forte has a book out entitled
"Poker Protection – Cheating…and
the World of Poker" that specifically
addresses how to detect cheating
in a private game and details the
use of marked cards and cheating crews.
Early news reports implied that the
cheating scam was concurrent and
somehow associated with the Borgata's
Summer Open Championship Event.
The arrests, however, were made
almost one week prior to the start
of the tournament's preliminary events.
According to both the Borgata and the
New Jersey Attorney Generals Office,
the cheating scam was conducted off
the gaming floor and was never
intended to target the Borgata's
poker or tournament rooms.
While high technology was employed
in this cheating scam, the scenario
represented nothing new. The cheaters
thought they were too smart to get
caught and the cheated probably
should have known better – well,
they might have known better if
they had read Steve Forte's book.
This week the New Jersey Attorney
General's office released details
on the arrests of four individuals
involved in a poker-related cheating
scam at the Borgata Hotel Casino
& Spa in Atlantic City on June 7.
A noted casino-industry cheating
expert, Steve Forte, along with
Joseph T. Ingargiola, Stephen
Phillips, and James C. Harrison,
have been charged with using a
computer and cheating devices
to commit theft, attempted theft
by deception and conspiracy.
All defendants are currently
free on bail.
The four men allegedly were involved
in a scheme that involved luring
high-stakes poker players to a
Borgata hotel room which was fitted
with hidden cameras. The cameras
were placed in a manner such that
players' hole cards were visible.
There were also instances where marked
decks of cards were employed.
The NJ Attorney General's Office
also alleged that the men were
using computer simulation programs
to calculate their odds in any given
hand.
According to his website,
defendant Steve Forte is president
of his own consulting company,
International Gaming Protection,
and lists many of the nation's
largest casinos as his clients.
Forte has a book out entitled
"Poker Protection – Cheating…and
the World of Poker" that specifically
addresses how to detect cheating
in a private game and details the
use of marked cards and cheating crews.
Early news reports implied that the
cheating scam was concurrent and
somehow associated with the Borgata's
Summer Open Championship Event.
The arrests, however, were made
almost one week prior to the start
of the tournament's preliminary events.
According to both the Borgata and the
New Jersey Attorney Generals Office,
the cheating scam was conducted off
the gaming floor and was never
intended to target the Borgata's
poker or tournament rooms.
While high technology was employed
in this cheating scam, the scenario
represented nothing new. The cheaters
thought they were too smart to get
caught and the cheated probably
should have known better – well,
they might have known better if
they had read Steve Forte's book.
7/20/2007
Premier Tour Events
Join us for a night of poker
TUESDAY July 24th, 7pm at
DEACONS Dining & Draughts
1440 Jalna Blvd. (Exeter Rd &
Chalkstone, formerly the Carlow Arms).
Starting July 29th, CHEZ BRUNET
is adding a second night so we'll
be playing poker there every
Wednesday and Sunday.
More location announcements
coming soon !
TUESDAY July 24th, 7pm at
DEACONS Dining & Draughts
1440 Jalna Blvd. (Exeter Rd &
Chalkstone, formerly the Carlow Arms).
Starting July 29th, CHEZ BRUNET
is adding a second night so we'll
be playing poker there every
Wednesday and Sunday.
More location announcements
coming soon !
7/19/2007
Premier Poker Tour WINNER
Champion NEIL MILLSON July 18th
2nd Janice Meyer
3rd Mike McIntyre
4th Denzil Lewis
5th Justin Dymond
6th Ray Falconer
7th Gloria Millson
8th Lesli Gladstone
High Stakes Poker IV
One of my favourite shows is returning with
brand new episodes, and a big $ upgrade.
High Stakes Poker which airs on the
Game Show Network (GSN) will unveil
its new season August 27th at 9pm.
The first half of the season will have a
familiar look and feel, as players stake
$100k of their own money to play NLH.
Returning players include Doyle Brunson,
Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Jennifer
Harman, Barry Greenstein, Eli Elezra,
Phil Laak, Sammy Farha, and Todd Brunson.
Phil Hellmuth returns after a 2 season absense.
The real excitement begins in the last 7
episodes of season IV. Beginning with the
November 7th episode, High Stakes Poker
could be called 'Really High Stakes Poker',
as the minimum buy in grows to $500,000,
which means that there will be $5 million
in play as the cards fly.
The action on those $500k buy in
episodes is really fast. Rumour has it
that one guy gets stacked, and then almost
stacked again (after he reloaded) within a
span of about 20 minutes.
Needless to say, the person in question
was none too happy about it, and the
table were merciless in bringing the
needles out. It's all in fun, but with the
money so high with the new elevated
buy in, the tensions run kind of high
as well, and that makes for good television.
brand new episodes, and a big $ upgrade.
High Stakes Poker which airs on the
Game Show Network (GSN) will unveil
its new season August 27th at 9pm.
The first half of the season will have a
familiar look and feel, as players stake
$100k of their own money to play NLH.
Returning players include Doyle Brunson,
Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, Jennifer
Harman, Barry Greenstein, Eli Elezra,
Phil Laak, Sammy Farha, and Todd Brunson.
Phil Hellmuth returns after a 2 season absense.
The real excitement begins in the last 7
episodes of season IV. Beginning with the
November 7th episode, High Stakes Poker
could be called 'Really High Stakes Poker',
as the minimum buy in grows to $500,000,
which means that there will be $5 million
in play as the cards fly.
The action on those $500k buy in
episodes is really fast. Rumour has it
that one guy gets stacked, and then almost
stacked again (after he reloaded) within a
span of about 20 minutes.
Needless to say, the person in question
was none too happy about it, and the
table were merciless in bringing the
needles out. It's all in fun, but with the
money so high with the new elevated
buy in, the tensions run kind of high
as well, and that makes for good television.
7/18/2007
JERRY YANG WINS
I was tired, and I was only watching
it on tv from my couch !!
Nearly 16 hours after his dominating
final table performance began,
Jerry Yang from Temecula, CA
beat Tuan Lam from Canada to
capture the 2007 World Series of
Poker Main Event Championship.
Yang, who qualified for the Main Event
in a live $225 satellite at the Pechanga
casino, picked up the bracelet, a Corum
watch, and $8.25 million in prize money.
Tuan Lam played patiently and always
seemed to be card dead or waiting
for that one big opportunity to double
up through Yang. It will be interesting
to see the edited down version of the
final table and see if he really was
card dead or playing overly tight.
it on tv from my couch !!
Nearly 16 hours after his dominating
final table performance began,
Jerry Yang from Temecula, CA
beat Tuan Lam from Canada to
capture the 2007 World Series of
Poker Main Event Championship.
Yang, who qualified for the Main Event
in a live $225 satellite at the Pechanga
casino, picked up the bracelet, a Corum
watch, and $8.25 million in prize money.
Tuan Lam played patiently and always
seemed to be card dead or waiting
for that one big opportunity to double
up through Yang. It will be interesting
to see the edited down version of the
final table and see if he really was
card dead or playing overly tight.
7/16/2007
Canadian WSOP ME Champ ?
Wont be Daniel...or Gavin Smith
or any of the other big name Canucks.
How about TUAN LAM
Keep an eye on Seat 6:
TUAN LAM
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Online Name: BABYHAN
Chip Count: 21,315,000 (2nd in chips)
Tuan Lam was born in Vietnam on
New Years Day in 1966, during the war.
He eventually immigrated to Canada
at the age of 19. He now lives in the
Toronto area where he plays online
poker professionally. Prior to turning pro,
Lam worked as a general laborer for
a metal company. Then, he learned
how to play poker from friends and
became a professional dealer.
This is his third year to attend the WSOP.
His prior cashes were 46th place in
an event last year and 78th place in a
WSOP tournament held in 2005.
He also earned 2nd in the 2005
PokerStars WCOP 6-handed NL
tournament for a cool $55,000.
He is married with two children.
or any of the other big name Canucks.
How about TUAN LAM
Keep an eye on Seat 6:
TUAN LAM
Hometown: Mississauga, ON
Online Name: BABYHAN
Chip Count: 21,315,000 (2nd in chips)
Tuan Lam was born in Vietnam on
New Years Day in 1966, during the war.
He eventually immigrated to Canada
at the age of 19. He now lives in the
Toronto area where he plays online
poker professionally. Prior to turning pro,
Lam worked as a general laborer for
a metal company. Then, he learned
how to play poker from friends and
became a professional dealer.
This is his third year to attend the WSOP.
His prior cashes were 46th place in
an event last year and 78th place in a
WSOP tournament held in 2005.
He also earned 2nd in the 2005
PokerStars WCOP 6-handed NL
tournament for a cool $55,000.
He is married with two children.
WSOP ME Final Table
6,358 players started the WSOP
Main Event on July 6th.
Nine days later, 36 players remained
in the field. Sunday's Day 6 required a
grueling 16 hours of play to get from the
36 players down to a final nine, finally
reached when Scotty Nguyen (out 11th)and
Steven Garfinkle (out 10th) exited at the end
of play. Players starting Day Six were
guaranteed a minimum of $285,678.
Here are the seating assignments and
chip counts for Tuesday's final table:
Seat 1: Jon Kalmar – 20,320,000
Seat 2: Lee Childs – 13,240,000
Seat 3: Philip Hilm – 22,070,000
Seat 4: Jerry Yang – 8,450,000
Seat 5: Raymond Rahme – 16,320,000
Seat 6: Tuan Lam – 21,315,000
Seat 7: Alex Kravchenko – 6,570,000
Seat 8: Lee Watkinson – 9,925,000
Seat 9: Hevad Khan – 9,205,000
Looks like it could be a real
exciting final table with no
landslide chip leader.
I think that the blinds will start at
$100,000/$200,000 with an $30,000 ante
...so the short stacks will have about
50 big blinds to work with starting out.
And here's what they're playing for:
1st: $8,250,000
2nd: $4,840,981
3rd: $3,048,025
4th: $1,852,721
5th: $1,255,069
6th: $956,243
7th: $705,229
8th: $585,934
9th: $525,934
Total Prize Pool: $59,784,954
Main Event on July 6th.
Nine days later, 36 players remained
in the field. Sunday's Day 6 required a
grueling 16 hours of play to get from the
36 players down to a final nine, finally
reached when Scotty Nguyen (out 11th)and
Steven Garfinkle (out 10th) exited at the end
of play. Players starting Day Six were
guaranteed a minimum of $285,678.
Here are the seating assignments and
chip counts for Tuesday's final table:
Seat 1: Jon Kalmar – 20,320,000
Seat 2: Lee Childs – 13,240,000
Seat 3: Philip Hilm – 22,070,000
Seat 4: Jerry Yang – 8,450,000
Seat 5: Raymond Rahme – 16,320,000
Seat 6: Tuan Lam – 21,315,000
Seat 7: Alex Kravchenko – 6,570,000
Seat 8: Lee Watkinson – 9,925,000
Seat 9: Hevad Khan – 9,205,000
Looks like it could be a real
exciting final table with no
landslide chip leader.
I think that the blinds will start at
$100,000/$200,000 with an $30,000 ante
...so the short stacks will have about
50 big blinds to work with starting out.
And here's what they're playing for:
1st: $8,250,000
2nd: $4,840,981
3rd: $3,048,025
4th: $1,852,721
5th: $1,255,069
6th: $956,243
7th: $705,229
8th: $585,934
9th: $525,934
Total Prize Pool: $59,784,954
7/15/2007
WSOP Day 5
Looks like my predictions are the
KISS OF DEATH...hahaha.
Down to only 36 players going into
day number six. A few well known
pro's are still left including
Scotty Nyguyen, Daniel Alaei,
and Lee Watkinson.
Hevad "Rain" Khan has been a poker
assassin for the last five days
repeatedly knocking out the big
named pro's at his table...
someone to keep an eye for.
(Table 2)
Seat 1: Daniel Alaei 1,995,800
Seat 2: David Tran 10,280,000
Seat 3: Ray Henson 8,250,000
Seat 4: Philip Hilm 9,950,000
Seat 5: Lee Watkinson 3,500,000
Seat 6: Bob Slezak 2,115,000
Seat 7: Jason Welch 2,115,000
Seat 8: Jeff Bryan 2,100,000
Seat 9: Ryan Elson 1,785,000
(Table 3)
Seat 1: Steven Garfinkle 2,115,000
Seat 2: Peter Darvill 2,430,000
Seat 3: Robin Bergren 520,000
Seat 4: Hevad Khan 7,585,000
Seat 5: Allan King 1,000,000
Seat 6: Mikkel Madsen 2,080,000
Seat 7: Roy Winston 1,071,000
Seat 8: Paulo Loureiro 1,645,000
Seat 9: Kevin Kim 610,000
(Table 4)
Seat 1: Jason Koshi 1,175,000
Seat 2: Lee Childs 6,520,000
Seat 3: Jon Kalmar 2,665,000
Seat 4: Stefan Mattsson 3,260,000
Seat 5: Christian Togsverd 2,030,000
Seat 6: Jerry Yang 5,090,000
Seat 7: Kenny Tran 4,955,000
Seat 8: Tuan Lam 3,600,000
Seat 9: Hoa Nguyen 2,205,000
(Table 5)
Seat 1: Ron Kluber 3,070,000
Seat 2: William Spadea 4,575,000
Seat 3: Bill Edler 2,680,000
Seat 4: John Armbrust 2,600,000
Seat 5: Scott Freeman 7,360,000
Seat 6: Kevin Farry 7,400,000
Seat 7: Scotty Nguyen 1,960,000
Seat 8: Alex Kravchenko 1,555,000
Seat 9: Raymond Rahme 3,100,000
KISS OF DEATH...hahaha.
Down to only 36 players going into
day number six. A few well known
pro's are still left including
Scotty Nyguyen, Daniel Alaei,
and Lee Watkinson.
Hevad "Rain" Khan has been a poker
assassin for the last five days
repeatedly knocking out the big
named pro's at his table...
someone to keep an eye for.
(Table 2)
Seat 1: Daniel Alaei 1,995,800
Seat 2: David Tran 10,280,000
Seat 3: Ray Henson 8,250,000
Seat 4: Philip Hilm 9,950,000
Seat 5: Lee Watkinson 3,500,000
Seat 6: Bob Slezak 2,115,000
Seat 7: Jason Welch 2,115,000
Seat 8: Jeff Bryan 2,100,000
Seat 9: Ryan Elson 1,785,000
(Table 3)
Seat 1: Steven Garfinkle 2,115,000
Seat 2: Peter Darvill 2,430,000
Seat 3: Robin Bergren 520,000
Seat 4: Hevad Khan 7,585,000
Seat 5: Allan King 1,000,000
Seat 6: Mikkel Madsen 2,080,000
Seat 7: Roy Winston 1,071,000
Seat 8: Paulo Loureiro 1,645,000
Seat 9: Kevin Kim 610,000
(Table 4)
Seat 1: Jason Koshi 1,175,000
Seat 2: Lee Childs 6,520,000
Seat 3: Jon Kalmar 2,665,000
Seat 4: Stefan Mattsson 3,260,000
Seat 5: Christian Togsverd 2,030,000
Seat 6: Jerry Yang 5,090,000
Seat 7: Kenny Tran 4,955,000
Seat 8: Tuan Lam 3,600,000
Seat 9: Hoa Nguyen 2,205,000
(Table 5)
Seat 1: Ron Kluber 3,070,000
Seat 2: William Spadea 4,575,000
Seat 3: Bill Edler 2,680,000
Seat 4: John Armbrust 2,600,000
Seat 5: Scott Freeman 7,360,000
Seat 6: Kevin Farry 7,400,000
Seat 7: Scotty Nguyen 1,960,000
Seat 8: Alex Kravchenko 1,555,000
Seat 9: Raymond Rahme 3,100,000
7/14/2007
WSOP M.E. Day 4 UPDATE
337 players started Day Four of
the Main Event of the 2007 WSOP;
two thirds of them would exit by
the end of the day's action.
Only 112 players remain, beginning
Day Five, chasing the Main Event
Championship and $8.5M first prize.
Among the casualties of Day Four
were three former World Champions,
a rock star, a couple of internet
celebrities, and one superhero.
Notable players still alive in the
Main Event include Gus Hansen,
Lee Watkinson, 2007 WSOP bracelet
winners Bill Edler and Alex Kravchenko,
Evad 'Rain' Khan, Jee 'Mr. Rain'
Banghart, Humberto Brenes,
Ed de Haas, Mikkel Madsen
and Chad Brown.
(My personal picks to make the
final table are Gus Hansen,
Chad Brown and Sven Heinecker)
Five former WSOP Main Event
champions started the day, but only
two finished with chips.
Robert Varkonyi, Carlos Mortensen
and Berry Johnston all went to the
rail, leaving only Scotty Nguyen and
Huck Seed with a shot at a second
main event title.
the Main Event of the 2007 WSOP;
two thirds of them would exit by
the end of the day's action.
Only 112 players remain, beginning
Day Five, chasing the Main Event
Championship and $8.5M first prize.
Among the casualties of Day Four
were three former World Champions,
a rock star, a couple of internet
celebrities, and one superhero.
Notable players still alive in the
Main Event include Gus Hansen,
Lee Watkinson, 2007 WSOP bracelet
winners Bill Edler and Alex Kravchenko,
Evad 'Rain' Khan, Jee 'Mr. Rain'
Banghart, Humberto Brenes,
Ed de Haas, Mikkel Madsen
and Chad Brown.
(My personal picks to make the
final table are Gus Hansen,
Chad Brown and Sven Heinecker)
Five former WSOP Main Event
champions started the day, but only
two finished with chips.
Robert Varkonyi, Carlos Mortensen
and Berry Johnston all went to the
rail, leaving only Scotty Nguyen and
Huck Seed with a shot at a second
main event title.
7/13/2007
Premier Poker Tour
Our First Event was a Huge Success !
4 Full Tables with lots of great poker
action. We gave away a stack of
of poker magazines, hats and t-shirts
and everyone had a good time.
A bunch of comments about it being
"Quality" poker. I love to hear that !
I hope we can improve everyone's
skills even more over the next while.
Hope you can join us next
Wednesday at Chez Brunet
and check it out.
More venues will be announced soon.
4 Full Tables with lots of great poker
action. We gave away a stack of
of poker magazines, hats and t-shirts
and everyone had a good time.
A bunch of comments about it being
"Quality" poker. I love to hear that !
I hope we can improve everyone's
skills even more over the next while.
Hope you can join us next
Wednesday at Chez Brunet
and check it out.
More venues will be announced soon.
7/12/2007
7/11/2007
WSOP Cashes
Congrats go out to 2 of the guys
from my Vegas group who were
not only there for some good times,
they were there to take care of business.
BRUNO MELIAMBRO from Ottawa
and KEVIN BROWN from Hamilton
both cashed cheques at the
WSOP $1500 NL Tournament.
Each busted out around 197-200
besting over 3000 other players.
7/10/2007
Name Dropping
So who did i see in Vegas ?
Ben Affleck
Charles Barkley
Annie Duke
Howard Lederer
Susan Lederer
Phil Helmuth
Barry Greenstein
Doyle Brunson
Robert Williamson III
Montel Williams
Clonie Gowan
Jennifer Harman
Andy Bloch
Andrew Black
Sean Sheikan
Cheryl Hines
Michael Binger
Miami John Cernuto
Justin Bonomo
Steve Zolotow
Freddy Deeb
Eric Siedel
Chad Brown
Antonio Esfandiari
Brad Garret
Don Cheadle
Ray Romano
Mekhi Phifer
Lou Diamond Phillips
Jamie Gold
Jesus Ferguson
Jason Alexander
Chief Wiggum (Hank Azaria)
Dan Shak
Brandon Moran
Nolan Dalla
Phil Gordon
Shanon Elizabeth
Joe Hachem
Rafe Furst
Victor Ramdin
Barney Boatman
Dave Devilfish Ulliot
Robert Mizrachi
Ram Vaswani
Juha Helppi
Molly Hellmuth (I played beside her and got to see brother Phil's 11th WSOP bracelet)
Ben Affleck
Charles Barkley
Annie Duke
Howard Lederer
Susan Lederer
Phil Helmuth
Barry Greenstein
Doyle Brunson
Robert Williamson III
Montel Williams
Clonie Gowan
Jennifer Harman
Andy Bloch
Andrew Black
Sean Sheikan
Cheryl Hines
Michael Binger
Miami John Cernuto
Justin Bonomo
Steve Zolotow
Freddy Deeb
Eric Siedel
Chad Brown
Antonio Esfandiari
Brad Garret
Don Cheadle
Ray Romano
Mekhi Phifer
Lou Diamond Phillips
Jamie Gold
Jesus Ferguson
Jason Alexander
Chief Wiggum (Hank Azaria)
Dan Shak
Brandon Moran
Nolan Dalla
Phil Gordon
Shanon Elizabeth
Joe Hachem
Rafe Furst
Victor Ramdin
Barney Boatman
Dave Devilfish Ulliot
Robert Mizrachi
Ram Vaswani
Juha Helppi
Molly Hellmuth (I played beside her and got to see brother Phil's 11th WSOP bracelet)
I made it back from Vegas
with a few bucks in my pocket
and my ego mostly intact.
Got to play with some full time
grinders, a bunch of WSOP main event
entrants and a few drunk donkies too.
Mostly played $1/2 NL at the Golden Nugget
(Downtown on Fremont St.) Played at Caesars
Palace and Binions too. The line up to play
at Bellagio and Rio were rediculously long.
Next time I'm going to stay on the Strip
and play some of the big casino's.
During the world series, there's no shortage
of bad players itching to give away their
money at the Rio, Bellagio, Caesars, MGM, etc.
It surprised me how many 'new' poker players
shyed away from No Limit. They like the idea
of Limit poker and only being able to bet a
set amount per round. But for some reason,
they would end up losing more money in
big pots at limit, than they would have at NL.
During hands i had folded, i watched the 2/4
and 3/6 limit games over my shoulder, routinely
capping the bets and building $100-$200 pots,
and then someone takes it down with a King high,
or a rivered pair of 3's etc. It was so juicey, but
i just couldnt bring myself to move over and play limit.
with a few bucks in my pocket
and my ego mostly intact.
Got to play with some full time
grinders, a bunch of WSOP main event
entrants and a few drunk donkies too.
Mostly played $1/2 NL at the Golden Nugget
(Downtown on Fremont St.) Played at Caesars
Palace and Binions too. The line up to play
at Bellagio and Rio were rediculously long.
Next time I'm going to stay on the Strip
and play some of the big casino's.
During the world series, there's no shortage
of bad players itching to give away their
money at the Rio, Bellagio, Caesars, MGM, etc.
It surprised me how many 'new' poker players
shyed away from No Limit. They like the idea
of Limit poker and only being able to bet a
set amount per round. But for some reason,
they would end up losing more money in
big pots at limit, than they would have at NL.
During hands i had folded, i watched the 2/4
and 3/6 limit games over my shoulder, routinely
capping the bets and building $100-$200 pots,
and then someone takes it down with a King high,
or a rivered pair of 3's etc. It was so juicey, but
i just couldnt bring myself to move over and play limit.
6/29/2007
Will's in Vegas
I'll be in Las Vegas until July 8th.
Hopefully I come back with a bunch
of cash, or atleast some good bad-beat
stories.
I may or may not be able to answer
phone calls and emails until then.
Hopefully I come back with a bunch
of cash, or atleast some good bad-beat
stories.
I may or may not be able to answer
phone calls and emails until then.
6/27/2007
Premier Poker Tour ANNOUNCEMENT !
The first event of the new
Premier Poker Tour Season
has been announced.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 11th, 7pm
CHEZ BRUNET
332 Wellington Rd.
(just North of Baseline, in the strip mall
beside National Sports & Staples)
watch www.PremierPokerTour.ca
for more venue announcements !
Premier Poker Tour Season
has been announced.
WEDNESDAY
JULY 11th, 7pm
CHEZ BRUNET
332 Wellington Rd.
(just North of Baseline, in the strip mall
beside National Sports & Staples)
watch www.PremierPokerTour.ca
for more venue announcements !
6/23/2007
WSOP Player of the Year Standings
Name / Points / Wins / Earnings
Jeffrey Lisandro /195 / 1 / $448,778
Scott Clements / 162 / 1 / $318,666
Phil Hellmuth / 160 / 1 / $725,380
Tom Schneider / 155 / 1 / $269,116
William Durkee / 155 / 1 / $619,201
Alexander Kravchenko / 150 / 1 / $264,663
Eric Lynch / 140 /0 / $176,079
Nesbitt Coburn / 140 / 0 / $126,500
Jared Davis / 138 / 0 / $202,528
Humberto Brenes / 135 / 0 / $337,105
Jeffrey Lisandro /195 / 1 / $448,778
Scott Clements / 162 / 1 / $318,666
Phil Hellmuth / 160 / 1 / $725,380
Tom Schneider / 155 / 1 / $269,116
William Durkee / 155 / 1 / $619,201
Alexander Kravchenko / 150 / 1 / $264,663
Eric Lynch / 140 /0 / $176,079
Nesbitt Coburn / 140 / 0 / $126,500
Jared Davis / 138 / 0 / $202,528
Humberto Brenes / 135 / 0 / $337,105
6/21/2007
Helmuth Extends Streak
Phil Hellmuth made more headlines,
this time by cashing in Event #34,
$3,000 Limit Hold 'Em.
The cash was Hellmuth's fourth
this year and the 61st WSOP payday
of his career, again extending his
own record. Hellmuth exited soon
after cashing, though, finishing 25th
among the 27th paying spots.
this time by cashing in Event #34,
$3,000 Limit Hold 'Em.
The cash was Hellmuth's fourth
this year and the 61st WSOP payday
of his career, again extending his
own record. Hellmuth exited soon
after cashing, though, finishing 25th
among the 27th paying spots.
6/20/2007
Hoyt Corkins Wins Bracelet
Event #30, $2,500 NLHE Six-Handed
— Corkins Goes Wire-to-Wire for Win
June 21, 2007 by Michael Friedman
June 21, 2007 by Michael Friedman
Hoyt 'The Alabama Cowboy' Corkins
snapped a 15-year dry spell on
Wednesday by taking down the
first-place cash of $515,065 and
the highly coveted bracelet in the
Entrants: 847
Corkins held the lead at the end of
both Day One and Day Two action
both Day One and Day Two action
and finished off Terrence Chan
heads up for the victory.
6/19/2007
Thater, Pillai Collect Bracelets
Katja Thater and Shankar Pillai were
the day's big winners in action Monday,
Day 19 of play at the 2007 World Series
of Poker.
Both came from behind to land their
first WSOP bracelets, Thater in Event #29,
$1,500 Razz, and Pillai in Event #28,
$3,000 No Limit Hold 'Em.
Pillai's event also saw Phil Hellmuth tie
T.J. Coultier's career WSOP mark of 39
WSOP final-table appearances.
Thater had a huge task at hand in claiming
the Razz title, beginning the day far behind
the overnight leader, 2005 WSOP Razz
champ O'Neil Longson.
Thater had other worries as well, with a
final table that also included Men Nguyen,
Paul 'Eskimo' Clark and Mark Vos.
Thater, though picked up most of the final-table
knockouts in a succession of huge hands that
knockouts in a succession of huge hands that
saw several players jump to the lead at various
times during play.
Thater eventually finished off Larry St. Jean
for the win, with Longson in third and Clark
in fourth. Thater collected $132,653 for her
first WSOP victory.
6/17/2007
ELI ELEZRA tops Scotty Nguyen for Bracelt
Eli Elezra Tops Nguyen for First Bracelet
June 17, 2007 byMichael Friedman
Saturday provided one of the 2007
World Series of Poker's most interesting
days of play yet, as a star-studded final
table in Event #24, $3000 7-Card Stud H/L.
(Entrants: 236)
Starting the day with the chip lead was
'Big Game' regular and high-stakes
cash-game player Eli Elezra.
The rest of the final table consisted of:
Russell 'Dutch' Boyd, George Hardie,
David Sklansky, Scotty Nguyen,
John Harkness, Thor Hansen, and
Marshall Ragir.
Elezra, one of the few remaining players
in the Big Game previously without a
WSOP bracelet, would ultimately change
that here, taking home the title after
an entertaining heads-up battle against
Scotty Nguyen.
June 17, 2007 byMichael Friedman
Saturday provided one of the 2007
World Series of Poker's most interesting
days of play yet, as a star-studded final
table in Event #24, $3000 7-Card Stud H/L.
(Entrants: 236)
Starting the day with the chip lead was
'Big Game' regular and high-stakes
cash-game player Eli Elezra.
The rest of the final table consisted of:
Russell 'Dutch' Boyd, George Hardie,
David Sklansky, Scotty Nguyen,
John Harkness, Thor Hansen, and
Marshall Ragir.
Elezra, one of the few remaining players
in the Big Game previously without a
WSOP bracelet, would ultimately change
that here, taking home the title after
an entertaining heads-up battle against
Scotty Nguyen.
6/16/2007
Chan Misses 11th Bracelet
Event #23, $1,500 PLO
Chan Misses 11th; Clements Goes Wire to Wire
23 players returned on Friday to decide
the winner of Event #23, $1500 Pot Limit Omaha,
the last of 576 players who began play on Thursday.
Scott Clements held a healthy overnight lead,
though attention was on Johnny Chan in
fourth place, to see if he could win his 11th
WSOP bracelet and tie Phil Hellmuth for
the overall lead.
2007 bracelet winner Burt Boutin was
dismissed at the outset (22nd), and
Chan's hopes ended early as well.
After a slow start, Chan moved his
entire stack in after a flop of 8-2-2
and was called by Martin Davis.
Chan could only show Q-J-9-5
against Davis's J-J-6-6 and, once the
board blanked out, Chan exited in 20th.
Davis soon followed, despite knocking out
Chan, departing in 18th.
Chan Misses 11th; Clements Goes Wire to Wire
23 players returned on Friday to decide
the winner of Event #23, $1500 Pot Limit Omaha,
the last of 576 players who began play on Thursday.
Scott Clements held a healthy overnight lead,
though attention was on Johnny Chan in
fourth place, to see if he could win his 11th
WSOP bracelet and tie Phil Hellmuth for
the overall lead.
2007 bracelet winner Burt Boutin was
dismissed at the outset (22nd), and
Chan's hopes ended early as well.
After a slow start, Chan moved his
entire stack in after a flop of 8-2-2
and was called by Martin Davis.
Chan could only show Q-J-9-5
against Davis's J-J-6-6 and, once the
board blanked out, Chan exited in 20th.
Davis soon followed, despite knocking out
Chan, departing in 18th.
6/15/2007
250 WSOP ME Seat 2b Won Sunday
Sunday:
250 WSOP Main Event
Seats up for Grabs
Both PokerStars and Full Tilt Replace
Major Sunday Events With Massive
World Series Main Event Qualifiers.
If you haven’t yet secured your seat
in the 2007 World Series of Poker
main event, this Sunday is likely to be
your biggest chance. POKERSTARS
and FULL TILT are offering a combined
250 guaranteed seats to the main event
from just two tournaments, along with
the plethora of other main event
satellites that are continuously running.
Both sites are forgoing their normally
scheduled major Sunday tournaments
in favor of the huge qualifiers.
The PokerStars Sunday Million is being
replaced this week by a tournament
guaranteeing 150 seats in the WSOP
main event while the Full Tilt $400,000
guaranteed tournament will be replaced
by a 100-seat-guaranteed tournament.
The sites undoubtedly chose to replace
the Sunday majors, rather than run both
them and the massive qualifiers at once,
because the qualifiers alone are
guaranteeing more in prizes than the
sites’ major events guarantee.
In PokerStars’ case, the site is
guaranteeing $1.8 million in prizes
(150 main event prize packages worth
$12,000 apiece: $10,000 for the buy-in
and $2,000 for travel and spending $)
compared to the Sunday Million’s
$1 million-guaranteed prize pool.
Full Tilt is taking an even bigger leap,
proportionately, by guaranteeing
$1.2 million worth of prize packages
(its packages are also $12,000 apiece)
compared to its regularly scheduled
$400,000 guarantee. Full Tilt also adds
extra incentives for its main event
seat winners. Full Tilt will give any
player who qualifies through the site
$10 million if the player wins the
main event, $100,000 for finishing
in second or third place, and $50,000
for making the final table (only if the
player wears a Full Tilt logo when
doing it, of course).
The 150-seat-guaranteed tournament
on PokerStars will be held on
Sunday, June 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET
(the same time as the Sunday Million
is usually held) and will have a
$370 buy-in. Satellites for the event
are currently being held for as low as
$2.20 (for a sixhanded triple-shootout
tournament) or 500 FPP Points (for a
rebuy tournament available exclusively
to PokerStars members with SilverStar
VIP status or higher).
The 100-seat-guaranteed tournament
on Full Tilt is at 6 p.m. ET on
Sunday, June 17 (the same time that
its $400,000-guaranteed tournament
normally runs). The tournament has a
$535 buy-in and players can satellite
into the event for as little as $5.50
(for a turbo, rebuy sit-and-go tournament)
or 2,500 Full Tilt Points (for a normal
freezeout tournament).
The sites’ regularly scheduled
tournaments will return the following
week, on June 24. Full Tilt will be
offering its upped guarantee,
$500,000, for the first time that Sunday.
250 WSOP Main Event
Seats up for Grabs
Both PokerStars and Full Tilt Replace
Major Sunday Events With Massive
World Series Main Event Qualifiers.
If you haven’t yet secured your seat
in the 2007 World Series of Poker
main event, this Sunday is likely to be
your biggest chance. POKERSTARS
and FULL TILT are offering a combined
250 guaranteed seats to the main event
from just two tournaments, along with
the plethora of other main event
satellites that are continuously running.
Both sites are forgoing their normally
scheduled major Sunday tournaments
in favor of the huge qualifiers.
The PokerStars Sunday Million is being
replaced this week by a tournament
guaranteeing 150 seats in the WSOP
main event while the Full Tilt $400,000
guaranteed tournament will be replaced
by a 100-seat-guaranteed tournament.
The sites undoubtedly chose to replace
the Sunday majors, rather than run both
them and the massive qualifiers at once,
because the qualifiers alone are
guaranteeing more in prizes than the
sites’ major events guarantee.
In PokerStars’ case, the site is
guaranteeing $1.8 million in prizes
(150 main event prize packages worth
$12,000 apiece: $10,000 for the buy-in
and $2,000 for travel and spending $)
compared to the Sunday Million’s
$1 million-guaranteed prize pool.
Full Tilt is taking an even bigger leap,
proportionately, by guaranteeing
$1.2 million worth of prize packages
(its packages are also $12,000 apiece)
compared to its regularly scheduled
$400,000 guarantee. Full Tilt also adds
extra incentives for its main event
seat winners. Full Tilt will give any
player who qualifies through the site
$10 million if the player wins the
main event, $100,000 for finishing
in second or third place, and $50,000
for making the final table (only if the
player wears a Full Tilt logo when
doing it, of course).
The 150-seat-guaranteed tournament
on PokerStars will be held on
Sunday, June 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET
(the same time as the Sunday Million
is usually held) and will have a
$370 buy-in. Satellites for the event
are currently being held for as low as
$2.20 (for a sixhanded triple-shootout
tournament) or 500 FPP Points (for a
rebuy tournament available exclusively
to PokerStars members with SilverStar
VIP status or higher).
The 100-seat-guaranteed tournament
on Full Tilt is at 6 p.m. ET on
Sunday, June 17 (the same time that
its $400,000-guaranteed tournament
normally runs). The tournament has a
$535 buy-in and players can satellite
into the event for as little as $5.50
(for a turbo, rebuy sit-and-go tournament)
or 2,500 Full Tilt Points (for a normal
freezeout tournament).
The sites’ regularly scheduled
tournaments will return the following
week, on June 24. Full Tilt will be
offering its upped guarantee,
$500,000, for the first time that Sunday.
CHAN going for bracelet # 11
Johnny Chan Goes for WSOP Win No. 11
Phil Hellmuth broke a three-way tie
and took the top spot as the guy with the
most World Series of Poker bracelets in
history when he won the $1,500 NL
event Monday.
Today, Johnny Chan has a
chance to re-tie Hellmuth & win his 11th bracelet.
Chan, who is tied with Doyle Brunson on the most
bracelets won list with 10, is currently third in chips
in the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha event.
Phil Hellmuth broke a three-way tie
and took the top spot as the guy with the
most World Series of Poker bracelets in
history when he won the $1,500 NL
event Monday.
Today, Johnny Chan has a
chance to re-tie Hellmuth & win his 11th bracelet.
Chan, who is tied with Doyle Brunson on the most
bracelets won list with 10, is currently third in chips
in the $1,500 pot-limit Omaha event.
New WSOP Bracelet Design
2007 H.O.R.S.E. Event Bracelet
2007 Main Event Bracelet
Luxury Swiss watchmaker CORUM
introduced the most elegant and
expensive bracelets in World Series
of Poker history at the opening of the
38th edition of poker’s longest-running,
richest and most prestigious event.
The winner of the $50,000 buy-in HORSE
Championship will walk off with a bracelet
boasting 91 black diamonds and two rubies.
CORUM drew from its heritage of
watch-making expertise and craftsmanship
in designing the World Championship $10k
Main Event bracelet, using a tonneau
(barrel) shaped case featuring 136 grams
of 18-carat white gold set with 120 diamonds.
“The World Series of Poker bracelet is the
most coveted prize in gaming and the
ultimate expression of excellence in poker,”
said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the WSOP.
“These spectacular bracelets are the finest
in the history of the WSOP, and will be
cherished by those skilled enough to win them."
6/12/2007
More WSOP News - HELLMUTH !!!
June 12th
Hellmuth Makes WSOP History with his
11th Bracelet Win.
Phil Hellmuth's star shone bright on
Monday evening, as he emerged from the
sequestering of the private filming tent
in the Amazon Room with his 11th
WSOP bracelet, a new career mark.
Hellmuth, who broke his year-old tie
with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan
at ten bracelets each, captured the title
in Event #15, $1,500 No Limit Hold 'Em.
Hellmuth's victory meant $637,254
in addition to the coveted 11th bracelet.
Hellmuth Makes WSOP History with his
11th Bracelet Win.
Phil Hellmuth's star shone bright on
Monday evening, as he emerged from the
sequestering of the private filming tent
in the Amazon Room with his 11th
WSOP bracelet, a new career mark.
Hellmuth, who broke his year-old tie
with Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan
at ten bracelets each, captured the title
in Event #15, $1,500 No Limit Hold 'Em.
Hellmuth's victory meant $637,254
in addition to the coveted 11th bracelet.
6/11/2007
Hellmuth Breaks WSOP Record
Phil Hellmuth grew his legend by making
his second cash at the the '07 WSOP in
Event #15, $1500 No Limit Hold'em.
He extend extended his own record for
career WSOP cashes to 59.
Earlier, Hellmuth's 104th place finish
(for $3901) in event # 8, the $2,000
No Limit Hold Em tournament,
broke the record for most carear
cashes at the WSOP.
his second cash at the the '07 WSOP in
Event #15, $1500 No Limit Hold'em.
He extend extended his own record for
career WSOP cashes to 59.
Earlier, Hellmuth's 104th place finish
(for $3901) in event # 8, the $2,000
No Limit Hold Em tournament,
broke the record for most carear
cashes at the WSOP.
6/08/2007
CUNNINGHAM earns 5th Bracelet
In what was one of the more
professional laden final tables
in recent memory, Allen Cunningham
was able to overcome an excellent
final table and take away the title
of champion in Event #13, the $5000
Pot Limit Hold 'Em tournament,
making history at the same time.
398 runners started the event on
Friday, building a prize pool of
1.87 million dollars and $487,287
would go to the winner of the event
on Sunday afternoon.
The Final Hand:
With the blinds at 40K/80K,
Lisandro raised from the button to
165K and Cunningham responded
with a reraise to 495K.
Lisandro pushed the remainder of his
stack into the center and Cunningham
called, showing K-9 to Lisandro's pocket
Queens. The flop kept Lisandro in the lead,
but a King on the turn gave the lead to
Cunningham. Once the river ran dry
for Lisandro, Allen Cunningham was
crowned the champion of the $5000
Pot Limit Hold 'Em event.
Final Standings:
1. Allen Cunningham - $487,287
2. Jeff Lisandro - $294,260
3. Humberto Brenes - $197,348
4. Jason Lester - $132,813
5. Joe Patrick - $99,142
6. Travis Rice - $78,565
7. Gavin Griffin - $58,924
8. Keith Lehr - $43,959
9. Alan Jaffray - $31,800
With the victory, Cunningham earned
his fifth World Series bracelet and also
became the fifth man in World Series
history to capture a bracelet in at least
three consecutive years.
Only Johnny Moss (74-76),
Doyle Brunson (76-79),
Gary "Bones" Berland (77-79) and
Erik Seidel (92-94)
can claim such success at the WSOP.
6/04/2007
WSOP Alive and Very Well
There's been a lot of talk about how
the anti-online gambling bill would effect
turn outs at the Series in 2007.
The people have spoken !
Event #3 of the 2007 World Series of Poker,
had the largest non-Championship Event field
ever. On saturday afternoon, 2,998 players
crammed the Amazon Room, then the
Alternate Room and its roughly 60 tables
(inside an air-conditioned tent set up outside
of the Rio), then even stretched into the Rio's
poker room's nine tables.
Looks like 2006 USPC champ Alex Jacob
has a great shot at taking this one down.
Chip Counts:
1. Alex Jacob - 3,100,000
2. Paul Evans - 1,690,000
3. Jeff Yoak - 965,000
4. Matt Vengrin - 930,000
5. Ciaran O'Leary - 610,000
6. Thad Smith - 555,000
7. Craig Crivello - 495,000
8. Andreas Krause - 490,000
9. Bart Hanson - 210,000
the anti-online gambling bill would effect
turn outs at the Series in 2007.
The people have spoken !
Event #3 of the 2007 World Series of Poker,
had the largest non-Championship Event field
ever. On saturday afternoon, 2,998 players
crammed the Amazon Room, then the
Alternate Room and its roughly 60 tables
(inside an air-conditioned tent set up outside
of the Rio), then even stretched into the Rio's
poker room's nine tables.
Looks like 2006 USPC champ Alex Jacob
has a great shot at taking this one down.
Chip Counts:
1. Alex Jacob - 3,100,000
2. Paul Evans - 1,690,000
3. Jeff Yoak - 965,000
4. Matt Vengrin - 930,000
5. Ciaran O'Leary - 610,000
6. Thad Smith - 555,000
7. Craig Crivello - 495,000
8. Andreas Krause - 490,000
9. Bart Hanson - 210,000
5/28/2007
Premier Poker Tour
The PPT CHAMPIONS CUP
The Premier Poker Tour is only
a few weeks away from launch.
Everything is coming together very well.
We will be making announcements very
shortly about locations and dates.
The Tour Season will culminate with
the Premier Poker Tour Championship
Tournament.
The winner will get their name
engraved on the PPT Champions Cup
and get their choice of grand prizes including:
* Trip for 2 to Las Vegas
* Kawartha Cottage Vacation for 6
* $1250 USD Full Tilt Package
* 42" HD Plasma/LCD TV
* $1600 BCC Fall/Winter Classic Entry
The Season Points Leader will get their choice of:
* Entry into min. $250,000 prize pool tournament
* Sony PlayStation PSP
* Apple iPOD Nano 4GB MP3 Player
* Lowrance iWay 250 GPS Navigator w/MP3
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