2008 WSOP MAIN EVENT, End of Day 1-B

2008 World Series of Poker
Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino
Las Vegas, Nevada

Official Report
Event #54
World Championship
No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-In:  $ 10,000
Number of Entries:  TBD
Total Net Prize Pool:  TBD
July 3 - November 10, 2008
Tournament Notes from Day 1-B:

·        The World Series of Poker Main Event began with Day 1-A on Thursday, July 3, 2008.  Day 1-B was played on July 4th, and started promptly at 12:10 pm.

·        This was the first time any part of the Main Event was played on the Independence Day holiday.

·        The official “first day” is split into four flights spread over four consecutive days.  Due to the large size of the field, it became necessary in recent years to play the Day One sessions in four groups, divided as Days 1-A, 1-B, 1-C, and 1-D.

·        The number of players registered for Day 1-B was 1,158.  Day 1-A attracted 1,297 entries.  The combined number of players who have now played in the main event totals 2,455.  Note:  These numbers have little bearing on the actual total number who will play in the Main Event, since registration remains open until Sunday, after the completion of two levels of play.

·        Country music artist Andy Griggs opened Day Two with a rousing a cappella version of the national anthem.  Griggs has recorded more than a dozen country hits.  Prior to his rendition of the Star Spangled Banner he asked that all veterans in the room to stand up and be recognized.  This brought a nice round of applause from the players.

·        The day’s traditional “Shuffle Up and Deal” announcement was made by 2007 WSOP Main Event winner Jerry Yang.  WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack introduced the defending champion by noting that Yang not only pursued and ultimately achieved his poker dream, but also very much represents “the American Dream.”  Yang arrived in the United States as an immigrant from Laos and became successful not just in poker, but in career and family ambitions, as well.

·        Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack also announced that 104 different nations are represented at the 2008 WSOP, to date.  To celebrate the Fourth of July and to honor the many international players who came to Las Vegas to play in the World Series, poker players were provided with miniature American flags as well as flags from many of other countries.

·        The tournament began in the Amazon Ballroom, along with a few tables located in the nearby Brasilia Ballroom.

·        The first elimination of the day was a brutal beat.  On the second hand of play at one table, an unfortunate player made kings-full which lost to four nines.

·        ESPN designated two “feature” tables.  The table on the main stage included former WSOP gold bracelet winner Erick Lindgren.  The secondary feature table was located off to the side and included four-time WSOP gold bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu.  His stay in the Main Event lasted only one hour and 39 minutes.  Negreanu busted out when his set of sixes lost to a higher set (nines).

·        All seat assignments and re-draws at the WSOP are completely random.

·        Registered players were given energy drinks and bottled water made by All In, and seat cushions provided by Everest Poker.

·        Former WSOP Main Event champions who played on Day 1-B included Tom McEvoy (1983), Robert Varkonyi (2002), Greg “Fossilman” Raymer (2004), and Jamie Gold (2006).  McEvoy, Raymer, and Gold were eliminated.  Scotty Nguyen survived Day 1-A, which means only two former champs remain from the first two days – Nguyen and Varkonyi.  Note:  The remaining former champions will play Day 1-C and 1-D.

·        Tom McEvoy won the WSOP Main Event in 1983, which makes this year the 25th anniversary of his victory.  McEvoy revolutionized tournament poker by becoming the first-ever satellite qualifier to win the world championship.  He has since written several poker books and won three more WSOP gold bracelets.

·        Two-time WSOP gold bracelet winner Howard “Tahoe” Andrew played on this day.  Andrew holds the record for the longest consecutive streak for years of WSOP participation, which dates back to 1974.  He has played in at least one WSOP tournament every year for 34 straight years.  Note:  David Sklansky could argue that he holds the record if attending the WSOP and playing in cash games were the requirement.  Sklansky has attended the WSOP ever year since 1972, which is the longest known streak.

·        Three married couples played in the same room on Day 1-A.  Another couple joined the poker matrimony on Day 1-B, when Robert and Olga Varkonyi played in the event.

·        An unusual occurrence took place during the middle of the afternoon when two players got into a raising war.  One player moved all-in and announced, “You can’t beat me – today’s my birthday!”  His opponent calmly announced, “Really?  It’s my birthday, too.  I call.”  He then tabled the nut hand and took the pot.

·        Another player named Andrew Schoepfer also celebrated his birthday.  He officially turned 21 on July 4th, and therefore was the youngest player to enter the 2008 WSOP, at exactly 21 years of age.

·        Shane Warne, and one of the greatest players in the history of cricket and one of the most popular international superstars in Australia, played on this day.

·        Brazilian poker player Alexandre Gomes played on this day.  Last week, he became the first WSOP gold bracelet winner in history from South America.

·        Noted college basketball handicapper Alan Boston, a.k.a. “Boston Red” played on this day.

·        Former World Series (of baseball) MVP and major league all-star Orel Hershiser played on this day.  He took a tough beat early and played a low stack most of day before finally busting out.

·        Hal Lubarsky, who was the first blind player ever to cash at the WSOP (197th place in the 2007 Main Event, good for $51,398), played in this day.  Lubarsky used a designated “card reader,” who sits behind the player and verbalizes the hole cards and board cards by whispering into his ear.  Lubarsky makes all the table decisions.  He ended the day with 70,700 in chips, which places him in the top 20 percent of the field.

·        The WSOP is truly an event for everyone – regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, class, native language, or age (above 21).  This fact was apparent on the tournament floor which was populated by a wide variety of people — including many with physical challenges.

·        Each WSOP is filled with scores of inspiring, and even heartwarming stories.  This year, one is the story of Hank Henry, from Arizona.  After watching ESPN’s poker coverage for years, Henry made a pledge to his wife Mary that the couple would play together in the WSOP this year.  Sadly, Mary Henry passed away in March.  Mr. Henry decided to honor his late wife by keeping his promise to enter the Main Event.  He posted a small photograph of his beloved Mary near his chips so the pair could both see the cards and the table action.  Mr. Henry busted out in the early evening.

·        The number of players remaining from the initial 1,158 who registered for this way is 615 (53 percent).  The previous day, 636 players (49 percent) survived from the initial 1,297 starters.  The combined number of survivors from Day 1-A and 1-B is 1,251.

·        The End of Day 1-B chip leader is Ben Samoff, from San Francisco, CA – with 177,500.  The End of Day 1-A chip leader was Mark Garner, with 194,900 chips.  Hence, Garner is currently the Main Event chip leader.

·        Other notable players who made the cut included:  Robert Mizrachi; Erick Lindgren; Thor Hansen, Barney Boatman; Tony Hachem; Hoyt Corkins, Dave Colclough; Erick Seidel; Patrik Antonius; Chris Bjorin; “Catain” Tom Franklin; Kathy Liebert; Bill Edler; Mickey Appleman; Donnacha O’Dea; Steve Zolotow; Alex Kravchenko; and Robert Varkonyi.

·        Through the completion of Day 1-A and 1-B, it is estimated that 56 female players have participated the Main Event.

·        All Day Ones play the exact same length of time.  Play ended after five levels.  Each level is two hours long.  Day 1-B concluded at 1:20 am.

·        Day 1-B survivors will be off for the next three days.  They will resume play on Day 2-A which begins Tuesday, July 8th.  Play commences at 12 noon.

·        It’s official.  Tournament pro and gold bracelet winner Erick Lindgren is the 2008 WSOP “Player of the Year.”