World Series of Poker looks ahead to 2010

With 60,875 players this year, plans are in place to accommodate more

By Case Keefer
Wed, Nov 18, 2009 (2:05 a.m.)

Despite the economic downturn that World Series of Poker officials figured would decrease registration numbers in 2009, the tournament enjoyed another record-setting year. In the series’ 57 events this summer, a total of 60,875 players participated. That’s an increase of more than 2,000 registrations from a year ago — and nearly 57,000 more than competed only nine years ago. As officials plan for the 2010 World Series of Poker and beyond, they are still looking to expand. Keep reading »

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  WSOP shows new breed of poker pros

  By Jeff Haney · November 18, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  The thumbnail sketches of the two ultimate survivors at last week’s World Series of Poker final table were familiar to anyone who follows the game. Keep reading »

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  Cada cherishes moment as poker’s youngest champ

  By Case Keefer · November 10, 2009 · 3:23 a.m.

  For Joe Cada, this was always about the bracelet. Becoming the youngest player in the history of the World Series of Poker — Cada just turned 21 this year — to win the Main Event was great. But staging the most remarkable comeback — he had less than 1 percent of the chips with seven players remaining — in Main Event history was a bonus. Keep reading »

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  $5.1 million later, life goes on for Darvin Moon

  By Case Keefer · November 10, 2009 · 3:32 a.m.

  Darvin Moon’s immediate plans after finishing second in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event involved kicking back in his hotel room at the Rio. It won’t be long, however, until the self-employed logger and new millionaire is back in the woods of western Maryland. “I’ve got to be back to work Friday,” Moon said. “I’ve got a piece of timber I’ve got to buy.” Keep reading »

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  Cada and Moon emerge as Main Event’s final two

  By Case Keefer · November 8, 2009 · 6:55 a.m.

  Joe Cada and Darvin Moon are about as different as two people could come. Cada is a 21-year old poker professional, who was drawn to the game at a young age by nature. “I’ve always been real good with math and logic,” Cada said. Keep reading »

• Video

  Showing Their Cards

  By Christine Killimayer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

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  With the final table set, ESPN's Norman Chad and Lon McEachern weigh in on life behind the scenes of the World Series of Poker.

• Q and A with Jeff Shulman

  By Case Keefer · November 9, 2009 · 12:24 p.m.

  Jeff Shulman just concluded a monumental run through the World Series of Poker Main Event. Shulman, a Las Vegas native and editor of Card Player magazine, finished fifth in the Main Event after outlasting 6,489 players, earning $1.95 million for his finish. Shulman took time Monday to answer reader questions from lasvegassun.com before the Main Event begins heads-up play at 10 p.m. this evening at the Rio. Keep reading »

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  Phil Hellmuth breaks down Main Event final table

  By Case Keefer · November 6, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  A number of business ventures have brought poker pro Phil Hellmuth to Las Vegas for the week. Hellmuth is promoting his new book, Deal Me In, with a signing at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Summerlin Barnes & Noble. He’s also coaching World Series of Poker Main Event final table participant Jeff Shulman. Keep reading »

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  The biggest stories in World Series of Poker

  By Jeff Haney · November 4, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  Before the start of the 2003 World Series of Poker, I recall seeing Chris Moneymaker’s name on the list of entrants at the old Binion’s Horseshoe downtown and marveling that someone would have the temerity to compete in the tournament under such an outlandish pseudonym. Keep reading »

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  Players at poker’s Main Event final table bring diversity to big stage

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  There’s a logger from western Maryland, the world’s best poker player and a former Wall Street executive. There’s a magazine editor and a kid who just turned 21 years old. There’s also a professional from New York, a professional from South Florida, a professional from England and a professional France. “You put all that together and it’s the best mix I could ask for,” ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad said Keep reading »

• World’s best poker player has sights set on bracelet

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  He’s called the great poker player in the world, the Tiger Woods of poker and the chosen one. Yes, Phil Ivey really is that good. And he knows it. “There’s no perfect way to play against me because I make a lot of adjustments,” Ivey said on ESPN’s InsideDeal. “I’m pretty good at adjusting to what my opponent is doing.” Keep reading »

• Main Event features surprise chip leader

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Darvin Moon sported a New Orleans Saints hat every day of the World Series of Poker Main Event this summer. Why would a logger from eastern Maryland possibly root for a team from New Orleans? No reason, really. “It is mostly Steeler fans where I live,” Moon said in July. “And I wear this hat to mess with them.” The Saints hat fits well with Moon’s run through the Main Event. A lot just doesn’t add up. Keep reading »

• Buchman considered a favorite at final table

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Count ESPN commentator Lon McEachern as one of the many people in the poker community who believe Eric Buchman will take the World Series of Poker Main Event bracelet. Buchman, a 28-year old poker professional from New York, is second in chips and has played solid throughout the tournament. “I think I’m in a good position in chips and whatnot,” Buchman said. “I feel like I’m the second best player on the table.” Keep reading »

• Begleiter will have strong contingent of fans

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Fans chanting “Begs” in support of Steven Begleiter were one of the most constant noises in the Rio poker room as the World Series Main Event played down to nine players in July. That’s not going to stop when the November Nine re-convene Saturday. In fact, it might be louder because of what’s at stake for Begleiter’s friends. Begleiter, a former investment banker, played his way into the Main Event by winning the championship in his Chappaqua, N.Y., hometown’s poker league. Twenty percent of whatever he wins in the Main Event will be given to the league and its members. “It’s great because all my friends would obviously already be rooting for me,” Begleiter, 47, said. “But now, they’re bought into it.” Keep reading »

• Poker magazine editor takes back bracelet comment

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Jeff Shulman sent shockwaves through the poker community in July when he proclaimed he would throw the bracelet in the garbage if he would win the World Series of Poker Main Event. Shulman made the remark in response to his displeasure with the way Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., has run the tournament in recent years. Although Shulman stands by his comments against Harrah’s, he has since backtracked on his promise to trash the bracelet. Keep reading »

• Cada out to make history

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  For the second year in a row, history could be made at the World Series of Poker Main Event final table. Last year, 22-year old Peter Eastgate became the youngest champion of all-time. This year, 21-year old Joe Cada has a shot to break that record. “I think about getting the bracelet more than the record,” Cada said. “The age is a bonus, but the bracelet is the main thing.” Keep reading »

• Schaffel plans to remain calm and patient

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Kevin Schaffel can partially thank tennis pro Serena Williams for making it this far in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Before the tournament began, Schaffel watched the Wimbledon final between Serena and Venus Williams. After Serena beat her sister, she said the key was staying calm and patient. Calm and patient. Those two words stuck with Schaffel. “I wrote them down and kept them in my pocket the whole tournament,” Schaffel said. “I just tried to remember that during the down times.” Keep reading »

• Photogallery

  2009 WSOP Final Table

  July 16, 2009 · 1:00 a.m.

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  Nine players, including chip leader Darvin Moon and top pro Phil Ivey, advanced to the final table of the 40th annual WSOP on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.

• Akenhead at a disadvantage to start final table

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  James Akenhead is infamously remembered for a bad beat he suffered in a World Series of Poker tournament last year on ESPN. James Akenhead is infamously remembered for a bad beat he suffered in a World Series of Poker tournament last year on ESPN. Akenhead had a clear advantage. Despite the odds, his opponent flopped a full house and knocked out Akenhead. Keep reading »

• French pro played “smart, snug” en route to final table

  By Case Keefer · November 4, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Antoine Saout enters the World Series of Poker Main Event final table as the most unknown player remaining. The Main Event was the first tournament the 25-year old from France ever competed in outside of Europe. “We know the least bit about Antoine for obvious reasons,” ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad said. Keep reading »

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  ESPN to devote record amount of time to Main Event

  By Steve Silver · July 21, 2009 · 5:56 p.m.

  For 50 days this summer, Las Vegas enjoyed a front row seat to the largest and most prestigious poker event in the world. Now, just one week from today, ESPN will share that poker jewel with an international audience as it begins number of weekly broadcasts of the World Series of Poker. ESPN plains to air 24 hours of the No Limit Texas Hold 'em Main Event coverage plus two more hours for the live final table in November at the Rio every Tuesday night starting July 28. Keep reading »

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  Final table set in World Series of Poker

  By Steve Silver · July 16, 2009 · 1:33 a.m.

  Nine lucky poker players are about take the sweetest four-month vacation in sports. After nearly nine hours of play Wednesday, the World Series of Poker Main Event has come together with a diverse mix of several poker pros, a logger, a magazine editor and an investment banker. The final table participants are Phil Ivey, Darvin Moon, James Akenhead, Kevin Schaffel, Steven Begleiter, Eric Buchman, Joe Cada, Antoine Saout and Jeff Shulman. Keep reading »

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  Humble logger could become a true people’s champion

  By Steve Silver · July 16, 2009 · 3:00 a.m.

  He is a 45-year-old pine forest logger who proudly displays scars caused by chainsaw accidents. He is from such a small town that the entire population would barely take up half of the hotel rooms at the Rio. He speaks fondly of his favorite pair of work boots and he always wears a New Orleans Saints hat despite living in the heart of Pittsburgh Steelers territory. He is Darvin Moon and he could be the next World Series of Poker Main Event champion. Keep reading »

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  ESPN poker announcers, crew make for memorable broadcasts

  By Steve Silver · July 15, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

  Many people in the poker world credit Chris Moneymaker's nationally televised, meteoric rise from an online qualifier to a millionaire world champion in 2003 as the catalyst for poker's popularity explosion. But during that historic World Series of Poker Main Event, two very different sports reporters, Norman Chad and Lon McEachern, came together and ended up forming a dynamic broadcasting partnership that has served as the voice of poker since 2003 on ESPN. Keep reading »

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  2 women make showing in Main Event’s final 100

  By Steve Silver · July 14, 2009 · 2:06 a.m.

  Playing poker like a girl isn't such a bad thing if you're playing like Nichoel Peppe or Leo Margets. Both Peppe and Margets were the only two women to crack the top-100 in the World Series of Poker Main Event Monday, with both battling all day for the title of last woman standing. At about 11:45 p.m., however, Margets claimed that distinction when Peppe busted out in 75th place, winning $68,979. Margets is now the lone woman remaining with 3,650,000 chips in 18th place heading into Day 7 Tuesday with 64 total players left in the tournament. She is guaranteed at least $108,047. Keep reading »

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  Fans flock to Rio to watch poker tournament

  By Ray Brewer · July 12, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  Cretel Kaleel enthusiastically cheered from the rail this week for her husband, David, who was playing in the World Series of Poker main event at the Rio. While David Kaleel was busy accumulating enough tournament chips to advance to the third day, his wife had a different gathering task: securing autographs from the couple's favorite professionals. So, when popular professional Gus Hansen walked through the ballroom on Friday afternoon, Cretel Kaleel grabbed her tee shirt loaded with autographs and a marker with hopes of adding to her collection. She wasn't the only one. Keep reading »

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  Poker players relax with massage at table

  By Ray Brewer · July 11, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

  The World Series of Poker Main Event is marathon of sorts for the players, who can become tense and tired from 12-hour days of play during the two-week — if you are lucky enough to advance — tournament. For the past four years, massage therapists from Professional Massage Inc. have been contracted by Harrah’s, which owns the Rio, to provide massages for the players. Keep reading »

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  Win or lose, seat at ESPN poker table can mean big money

  By Steve Silver · July 8, 2009 · 11:30 p.m.

  The ESPN feature table, a dimly lit oasis tucked away in a quiet corner of the raucous Amazon room inside the Rio, is not only one of the most recognized pieces of felt in the poker world, but it is also one of the most profitable. A player at the feature table earns an average of $10,000 for displaying a company's logo on their clothing, which is most often online gambling websites such as Pokerstars, Full Tilt or Ultimate Bet. Keep reading »

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  Oldest player exits World Series of Poker

  By Steve Silver · July 7, 2009 · 7:38 p.m.

  Poker players might not respect registration deadlines, but they certainly respect their elders. One day after nearly 800 irate players were turned away from entering the fourth and final start day of the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Texas Hold 'em Main Event, the poker community's outrage and threats of law suits toward the World Series of Poker turned to a touching show of respect for the oldest poker player at the WSOP. The field of 1,476 players in the Day 2A competition at the Rio stood to a roaring applause as 96-year-old Jack Ury bowed out of the Main Event Tuesday. Keep reading »

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  Hundreds of poker players turned away

  By Steve Silver · July 6, 2009 · 1:33 p.m.

  A gold bracelet wasn't necessary to read the faces of hundreds of poker players turned away from registering for the World Series of Poker main event Monday. More than 500 angry poker players were denied entry into the fourth starting day of the $10,000 buy-in No Limit Texas Hold 'em event including top professionals such as five-time gold bracelet winner Ted Forrest and six-time gold bracelet winner T.J. Cloutier. Keep reading »

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  Hellmuth enters main event dressed as Caesar

  Oskar Garcia, Associated Press

  Flanked by dozens of women, heralded by trumpeters and mobbed by his fans, Phil Hellmuth channeled Julius Caesar as he arrived at the World Series of Poker on Sunday. The no-limit Texas Hold 'em champion who won the main event 20 years ago slowly made his way to his table nearly two hours after play began, joined by body-painted female gladiators and muses carrying rose petals in tote bags. "When you dress as Caesar you actually feel more powerful," Hellmuth told The Associated Press as he waited in a car outside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, before his stunt. Keep reading »

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  Cards fly at World Series of Poker main event

  Oskar Garcia, Associated Press

  Cardplayers, celebrities and amateurs with deep pockets are back in Las Vegas and hoping for a handsome score as the World Series of Poker main event begins. More than 1,100 players packed a conference room at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino at the start of the $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold 'em tournament, with the richest prize in poker. Players had until roughly six hours after the cards hit the air Friday to buy into the tournament that day, and three more days to enter the fray as the opening rounds of the tournament were split up. Keep reading »

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  Bach pulls out marathon HORSE victory

  By Steve Silver · July 1, 2009 · 4:00 p.m.

  It is only fitting that a marathon heads-up session determined the winner of arguably one of the toughest and most prestigious events at the World Series of Poker Wednesday morning. After more than seven hours of heads-up play, 37-year-old Athens, Ga. resident David Bach claimed the $50,000 HORSE World Championship over John Hanson in the longest American WSOP final table in history. This year's HORSE final table clocked in at an American record of 18 hours, 44 minutes with 480 hands players. Keep reading »

• Video

  Showing My Poker Face

  By Alex Adeyanju · May 28, 2009 · 7:08 p.m.

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  In preparation for the beginning of the World Series of Poker, 702.tv's Alex Adeyanju tries to play and talk poker with professional players Lee Markholt and Joe Sebok.

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  Mixed-game event draws skilled poker players, no TV

  By Jeff Haney · July 2, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  It’s possible the $50,000-entry HORSE, or mixed-games, tournament at the World Series of Poker is slipping in popularity. Keep reading »

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  Poker pro Annie Duke doesn’t like her nickname

  By Melissa Arseniuk · July 1, 2009 · 5:26 p.m.

  Poker pro Annie Duke might be known as “the Duchess of Poker” but the queen of the card tables wishes she could lose the nickname. Keep reading »

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  Poker’s HORSE a serious game

  By Jeff Haney · June 26, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  If the annual $10,000-entry no-limit Texas hold ’em championship tournament at the World Series of Poker retains the No. 1 spot on poker’s liturgical calendar, the $50,000 HORSE (mixed games) event can make a claim for the “1a” slot. Keep reading »

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  WSOP props odds offer insight into tournament

  By Jeff Haney · June 12, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  Sanctioned betting on the outcome of the World Series of Poker, now in full swing at the Rio, is not permitted under Nevada gaming regulations, though a lively market exists in other jurisdictions. Keep reading »

• Lessons from poker pro not sugar-coated

  By Jeff Haney · June 24, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

  Stylish sunglasses snug atop his World Series of Poker Academy ball cap, a guy wearing a Packers jersey was trying to justify his decision to re-raise, from out of position, with a fairly weak hand. Keep reading »