Running World Series of Poker Thread

Final segment of Day 1 is today. Numbers will be way down compared to last year, thanks to the lack of Internet sites giving away seats due to the idiotic legislation Congress passed last year.

 

Now, now, W and Dick know what's best for you and your money. You don't need to enjoy your money. It's not yours, really. They are just letting you use it for what they say.

 

The unofficial total is in...

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Top prize at the 2007 World Series of Poker will be about $8.7 million based on an unofficial count of 6,349 players who have entered the no-limit Texas Hold ’em main event over the tournament’s four starting days.
The total is short of last year’s record 8,773 participants and $12 million top prize.

So the new law passed by Congress aimed at banks dealing with online gambling has resulted in more than 2,400 fewer players.

 

Sorry if I don't weep over the loss of 2,400 donks. Yeah, I'm one, too ... and I sure as hell would not want to watch me at the final table.

 

Just a minor point, but "W and Dick" aren't Congress. I wish I could say I was sure you knew that.

 

Oh, I did know that... But you are really gullible if you don't think they weren't behind the bill. Pandering to the conservative base again. Because there is no good reason that this was coattailed on to the Safe Port Act.

 

Amazing, the effects of disappearing internet freeroll champs and satellite winners . . . it had to have an effect, and did.

 

I think just as big of an effect was FT and Poker Stars not being allowed to send their winners' 10K right to the World Series. Any winners were able to either pocket the cash to go to the Main Event, whereas in past years they had to go.

 

And Hellmuth is gonzo.

 

Always a quality moment.

 

Let me take a wild guess how it happened:

Hellmuth had pocket Qs. He made a moderate, but decent raise from middle position, forcing out everyone but the BB, who called his raise with A-9o.

Flop comes 6-7-10. Hellmuth goes all-in. BB calls. Hellmuth overcomes his initial disbelief, then throws down the fist pump saying "YESSSSSSS," before looking out to his dad in the audience, who gives him a slight nod.

Turn: Q. Hellmuth throws his hands in the air like Rocky atop the Philadelphia Museum steps.

River: as if Stevie Wonder couldn't see this coming... an 8, filling the gutshot for the BB and sending a raging Hellmuth to the rail for some succor from Pops Hellmuth as the ESPN cameras go along for the ride and Norman Chad breaks out the Hellmuth smack he'd been saving for just such a moment.

But not before Hellmuth drops his trademarked "What the hell are you doing making a call like THAT. How stupid are you?" rant for all to hear.