Friday, July 3, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
With the start of the Main Event split into four Day Ones, which day you play becomes a major strategic question for players to consider. Do you play on Day 1A, which would leave you with three days to rest up before you play again (or give you a chance to get outta Dodge early if you bust out). Or 1B, which gives you an extra day off and two days to rest should you survive. Maybe 1C, giving you the opposite benefits of 1B, two days off before and one day off after. Or 1D, so you can come in completely rested and refreshed and not having to deal with a long layoff before you play again.
The last few years Day 1A has seen the smallest fields, while 1D has had the largest (those fields swelled perhaps by last-second satellite winners). So you have to factor that in as well. Along with calculating which day will see the most pros in the field, the most first-time qualifiers…it’s enough to make your head spin.
The only member of the Team UB/AP family I’ve seen in the field today is Matt Vengrin, who’s sitting at Table 87 in the Orange section. If Matt makes it through the next two levels (we’re only playing four levels today, not the five that were originally scheduled) he’ll have three days off before resuming the fight on Tuesday the 7th. But there’s still four long hours of play before Matt extends his stay.
Tags: 2009 world series of poker, 2009 wsop, 2009 wsop main event, matt vengrin, world series of poker, world series of poker main event, WSOP, wsop main event
Comments (0)
Friday, July 3, 2009 - ProductMan
Who doesn’t want to live forever? I’m not talking about tapping into some secret fountain of youth. I’m thinking more along the lines of not facing defeat so soon when you’re at play. I remember those days back at the arcade when games only cost a quarter, maybe two tops. I used to love getting more life out of a certain Italian plumber or taking my Soviet-style blocks further by slipping another couple of coins into the mix. No need to start from square zero when you’ve already found a comfortable place to stand.
It’s that kind of thinking that spawned a useful new feature that we’ve added to our re-buy tourneys. Players will now be able to re-buy any time their balance falls below the required amount (typically 1,500 chips). Players will no longer have to search for the re-buy feature from the menu, since it will be easily accessible from the table at all re-buy tourneys.
All re-buy tournaments will conveniently include a box that quickly lets you select two options. The first option will let you add additional chips to the table if your stack drops below 1,500 chips during the period when re-buys are still available. The second option will allow you to double your re-buy. Even if these options aren’t checked, you’ll still have the option of clicking on the re-buy button to add chips to your stack.
Tags: Re-buy, tournaments
Comments (0)
Friday, July 3, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
The opening day of the 2009 World Series of Poker’s Main Event was slightly marred today when Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack was savagely mauled by an enraged Sasquatch. Most of the alleged sightings of that legendary monster happened in the Pacific Northwest, but it turns out Sasquatch was living in the corridors of a Vegas casino. Who woulda thunk it? Anyway, here’s some shots of the horrific assault:
That’s when the dread beast dragged Pollack out the side doors and into the bowels of the Rio. Authorities still have no info on Pollack’s whereabouts or condition, as the only clues they’ve been able to recover so far are Pollack’s glasses and a single cufflink.
OK, I’m gonna shock you all by confessing that none of this is true–the Commish is fine, and Sasquatch is the mascot of Jack’s Links jerky and would NEVER hurt Mr. Pollack. In fact, Sasquatch made the official “Shuffle Up and Deal” call to kick off the Main Event…though it came out more like SHUUUURRRFFFF UNNNNGGG DRRRREEAAHHHH!! But everyone seemed to get the point.
Tags: 2009 world series of poker, 2009 wsop, sasquatch, sasquatch jeffrey pollack, sasquatch poker, sasquatch world series of poker, sasquatch wsop, world series of poker, WSOP
Comments (0)
Friday, July 3, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
We’ve had a rather smooth start to the Main Event, with some mild mob-scenes around the rail and minor traffic jams on the floor with all the camera crews and photographers zipping about. There’s a bunch of media types who haven’t been here the whole series and they haven’t quite figured out the samba swing required to sashay with ease between the tables. But they’ll figure it out soon enough.
Traditionally Day 1C and 1D are the busiest openers for the Main Event and the Brasilia Room, though in use, only has a dozen or so tables in use. No official tally on the size of the field as yet, we may get that after the first break. But here are a few folks in the field today:
Tags: 2009 main event, 2009 world series main event, 2009 world series of poker, 2009 world series of poker main event, 2009 wsop, world series of poker, WSOP, wsop main event
Comments (0)
Friday, July 3, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
You know something’s up when Media Row at the World Series of Poker is jam-packed at 10:30AM. This, after an industry party at a strip club with an open bar. Which I attended and enjoyed within strictly-enforced personal guidelines. I knew I’d have to get up early to re-secure my usual spot so I had a 2AM curfew, which I followed in a stunning display of self-restraint.
So We the Media are here, as are a surprising number of poker players, who are milling about the Amazon Room looking the place over and wandering around the tables. I can imagine that the adrenaline runs high before you play in the Main Event, especially when it’s your first time, but if I have any advice for WSOP newbies it’d be this–players who arrive an hour before the tournament and try to take their seats are NOT going to win the tournament. It’s good to be excited, but try not to let excitement morph into anxiety.
You won’t miss any hands, they won’t give your seat to someone else. Get your sleep. Have a protein-rich breakfast. Arrive in time to weave through traffic and negotiate the crowded hallways. But don’t be the guy wandering aimlessly around the halls at 10:30AM with an empty Starbucks cup. You’re going to wear yourself out with worry before you play a hand. You’re going to be tired before you take your seat. Give yourself the benefit of the doubt–you’re gonna be fine. You’re gonna play well. When the time comes. And it doesn’t come till high noon–THAT’S when you need to be ready to play poker. No one won the Main Event at 10:30 in the morning on Day 1, but I’ll bet quite a few players who arrive that early are beaten before the show up. Relax…
Tags: 2009 world series of poker, 2009 wsop, world series of poker, WSOP
Comments (0)
Friday, July 3, 2009 - P0ker J0
Wow - well it has been FAR too long since I have posted. I have been gearing up for the WSOP but also managed to take a week off with NO access to technology. I headed down to the Dominican Republic and enjoyed a merlot or 10 on the beach! I actually left my Blackberry in the safe in the room and just kicked back - not a care in the world.
But now I’m bing bang back to reality. The WSOP is in full force and two of my newest pros are kicking some serious ass!! Check out Matt Graham and Brandon Cantu - two new pros - two new bracelets. I’m just so proud (shed a tear here). So all eyes will be on Mr. Hellmuth this year as he makes his big arrival on July 5th. If you are in the area on the 5th, he will be making the entrances of all entrances. It just seems that each year gets bigger and better. Aren’t I the lucky one that gets to help the Poker Brat get dressed every year. Some chicks would just kill for my job 
UB is sponsoring some kick ass celebrities into the Ante Up for Africa event on July 2nd. You can expect to see the never boring Charles Barkley sporting the UB brand - as well as Herschel Walker (from Celebrity Apprentice), Dean Cain (Yes - Superman!!) among others. It should be a great event for a great cause!! I only wish I was able to land the great Jon Bon Jovi!
Well it seems the WSOP is all consuming. I cannot wait to hit sin city and meet some folks that I have only chatted with on the phone, and hook up with old friends that I haven’t seen in a while. Let there be fun, let there be laughter, let there be merlot but most of all - let there be copious amounts of hairspray!!
P0ker J0 out! Next BLOG comes to you from Sin City!!
xoxo
Tags: Ante Up For Africa, AUFA, Brandon Cantu, Charles Barkley, Matt Graham, Phil Hellmuth, WSOP
Comments (0)
Friday, July 3, 2009 - UB Marketing
July 3rd…. This can only mean 1 thing: The MAIN EVENT just kicked off.
That’s right, we have reached that precious day for every poker player when the biggest and most prestigious No limit Holdem event begins. This will be the 40th time the Main Event has taken place and of course things have changed a bit since 1970.
The World Series of Poker will hardly be replaced by another poker event. It has become such a tradition where the best players meet to test their skills and it is quite improbable for another Poker event to take over the WSOP.
So how many people will attend the main event? No idea, but probably a record could be set. This year we have seen Holdem events with amazing figures but one tourney that had a major deficit in attendance was the 50k H.O.R.S.E. Championship which was recently disputed.
What about UB and the Main Event? Well, we achieved to qualify over 170 players and the $10,000,000 promotion has caught the eye of more than one player. So if you are still in Vegas, look for UB staff and sign with them… who knows, if you win the main event you could end up $10,000,000 richer on top of the prizepool of the Main Event.
Also, if you are in Vegas be sure to be close to the Rio prior the Main Event begins.. it seems Mr. Phil Hellmuth is preparing to make use of his 11 Bracelets bragging rights so don’t be surprised if he crashes a car in to the lobby or lands on a Helicopter in the middle of the strip…
For everyone at the WSOP 2009 Main Event, good luck and hope to see you at the best poker tournament in the Caribbean…. ARUBA CLASSIC 2009.
Tags: Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth, Team UB, Ultimate Bet, world series of poker, WSOP
Comments (1)
Thursday, July 2, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
Today is perhaps the most glamorous day of the World Series of Poker, as celebrities from the entertainment, sports and poker worlds come together for the Ante Up for Africa charity tournament. A total of 138 players bought into the $5,000 event, and as always it’s hoped that the players will voluntarily donate some of their prize winnings (most donate all) to the Ante Up for Africa charity.
This is the third year that the Ante Up for Africa charity (created by UltimateBet’s Annie Duke, actor/director Don Cheadle, and Norman Epstein) has held this event at the World Series of Poker, and it seems like every year it brings even more famous faces to the Rio–and more people who gather at the rail to see those famous faces, take pictures, and ask for autographs.
But as I said last year during last year’s Ante Up for Africa event, it’s fine to focus on the glamorous celebrities and the excitement of the tournament today, so long as you remember why this event came together tomorrow. I said that this is the third year that the Ante Up for Africa event has been held at the WSOP, and that means that the humanitarian disaster in Darfur is still going on three years on. In fact the situation suffering from the war and genocide there is more dire than ever before.
In the January 5, 2009 edition of the New Yorker Jonathan Hart wrote about aid workers from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees who are trying to help a quarter of a million Sudanese living in refugee camps just across the border from the Darfur region. If you’re interested enough in the poker tournament and the celebrities playing in it to read this post, then I hope you also read Hart’s article and understand why so many people support this cause. And if my words don’t move you to learn more about the catastrophe in Darfur, then perhaps these photographs taken by Christoph Bangert at the refugee camps will:
You don’t have to become an aid worker to help the people suffering in Darfur–each and every one of us can provide in some small way that can add up to big changes. Make a donation. Write to your elected officials to make sure they don’t let Darfur fall off the world stage. And keep yourself educated about what’s happening in that part of the world. The Ante Up for Africa tournament comes one day a year, but the charity operates 365/24/7. And that’s how often their aid is needed.
Tags: 2009 wsop, Annie Duke, Ante Up For Africa, ante up for africa tournament, charity poker tournament, don cheadle, world series of poker, WSOP, wsop ante up for africa, wsop charity tournament
Comments (0)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - Gene Bromberg
Yes fight fans, today was the day we’ve all been waiting for, the much-ballyhoold Boeree-Castello smackdown at Barry’s Boxing Center. According to a few handicappers I spoke to Melissa was the favorite among the punters, though the late money seemed to favor Liv. As I took up a spot along the apron and waited for the combatants to make their way to the ring I tried to decide once and for all who I thought was gonna win. But I didn’t have a coin handy to flip, so I tabled the question and waited for the contest to start.
Both fighters entered the arena to the Rocky theme, which either showed both Liv and Melissa have a taste for the classics or that there was only one tape awailable. Liv entered the ring first and whatever doubts anyone might’ve had about her focus or determination were erased right then and there:
Melissa entered soon after and after the two pugilists put their headgear on and mouthpieces in PokerRoad’s Joe Stapleton introduced them to the crowd, with Melissa getting her usual rowdy reception:
And with the introductions and instructions out of the way, it was time to get it ON:
The two fighters received some training before the bout and it showed–while their pugilistic form wasn’t the match of Floyd Maywether, they weren’t flailing about either. Liv and Melissa threw straight jabs and circled each other around the ring and traded short, quick punches. According to the tape Liv has three inches and five pounds on Melissa, but I didn’t think that would factor much into the fight. But it did–it seemed like Liv got the best from most exchanges because she was able to hit with full force while Melissa’s punches were a bit beyond full extention.
If the first round was a bit of a feeling-out time, in the second it seemed that Liv established that she was a bit bigger, a bit faster, a bit stronger, and she took control of the fight. And you could see in both their eyes that this was indeed a fight–they were throwing punches with bad intentions. It’s just that most of the really telling blows were landed by Liv:
When the bell rang at the end of Round 3 it came as both a bit of a relief (no one got hurt!) and a bit of a disappointment (hey, I was enjoying that!). And when the three judges were polled and they unanimously chose Liv as the victor, it looked like she was a bit relieved as well:
And then the two fighters congratulated each other for a good show, and judging from the shouts and cheers coming from the very vocal crowed they enjoyed it too.
Liv now holds an official 1-0 amateur boxing record (today’s bout was sanctioned by the Nevada State Athletic Commission) while Melissa falls to 0-1. Just a bit more importantly, Liv won $1,000 for the Marie Curie Cancer Trust, while Melissa raised $500 for the Hemophilia Foundation of Southern California.
Now if we can just get Liv into the ring with Phil Hellmuth…I’m thinking a big pay-per-view audience. Big.
Tags: 2009 world series of poker, 2009 wsop, boeree castello fight, Liv Boeree, liv boeree fight, melissa castello, melissa castello fight, rumble nowhere near the rio, world series of poker, WSOP, wsop fight
Comments (1)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009 - Victor
On my way out for a special mission:
I am arriving on July 6th… just when the tournament is on its boiling point, when decisions made are the key of success.
I still can’t believe I am attending the most important poker event in the world; yes it’s my first time. So, what is the plan? Well, basically helping our staff, gathering feedback, listening, talking, meeting the players, having a drink or two, listening [again], working, doing the best I can to provide the best live assistance to our Valuable Players.
Most importantly I must say that the gathering of feedback would be awesome, there’s nothing more encouraging than meeting you guys live as well as listening your point of views regarding our job here. If you think that something needs to be changed in the way we provide our entertainment, just knock on my head and tell me what you think.
I have always seen the Series on TV and never imagine that I could ever be there someday. I must say that our VIP players are the ones responsible of making this a reality, We all really appreciate the constant support and confidence that each and every one of you have given us over the last years, we have earned that based on the great service that we provide.
Over the last few days we have all been calling the players that will represent us at the tournament, some of them are going for the first time some other s have been around more than twice. This combination of experience definitely makes us feel faithful of what is really going to happen in Vegas this Year; some of our players will win BIG CASH for sure.
Good Luck and See you in Vegas!
Victor –VIP Host
Tags: Rai$e VIP Team, WSOP
Comments (1)
