Main Event Starts
July 4, 2008
The Flagship WSOP event, event no 54 $10,000 NLHE World Championship, started yesterday. Dat 1a saw over 1200 entries trying to battle their way to a decent chip size, in preperation for day 2. There were some notible exits in the first 3 levels, including: Dave Ulliot, Steve Sung, Erica Schoenberg, Alan Smurfit, Chris Moorman, Josh Arieh, Juha Helppi, Roland de Wolfe, Gavin Smith, Phil ‘OMGClayAiken’ Galfond, Dan Harrington, Freddy Deeb, John Gale and David Benyamine amongst others.
With over 7000 entries expected the bookies favourite is Mr Phil Ivey on an amazingly poor odds of 22/1
Julian Gardner is favourite to be the top British player @ 18-1
Gus Hanson is favourite to be the top European player
With so many Pro’s having short odds, the bookmakers are still expected to make a loss if a “name” final tables???
Personally I get a feeling that the the Final table will be all amateurs, and I am hoping that Julian “Yo-Yo” Thew gets extremely deep.
,
Isle of Capri Struggling
July 2, 2008
Just trying to work out a few figures, The Isle price (as oppossed to the Oil price) has dropped amazingly over the last 12 months. July 07 the share price was $23.50 now it has reached danger point at $4.45, giving them a net value of £70,000,000. Bare in mind they have 14 casinos in the US, 1 in the Bahamas and 4 in the UK and the total cost of the Ricoh Complex was £36,000,000. It appears they are in a whole heap of shit.
It was reported in May that the Isle of Capri in Coventry was up for sale, blaming their losses on location. To be honest I can’t see anyone having any interest in the property (as a casino), add that to astronimcal 10 year lease they took out at time of purchase, and the demise of the whole gaming industry at the moment, outlook does not look bright.
Branson wouldn’t do this would he?
July 1, 2008
Clicked on the link and it wasn’t anything to do with Bodog?? More of a Virgin Marketing campaign, to launch virgins new service, an interacting two way gaming site on Virgin Media. So I would presume that the headline title is bullshit, however, Top Marks by Mr Branson if this was true, Multi Billionaires playing poker for online poker sites, I likey 
Another Rumour Today is a more believable one that Michael Greco, is focusing more on poker than acting, as he seems to be the only product of the farce of Celebrity Poker to break through (apart from a couple of footballers and snooker players) in the land of make believe. He now seems to be Sponsored by Littlewoods poker. They seem to be raising their game this quarter, and I expect them to challenge for the UK’s no1 poker room very soon!!
Ladbrokes Tops Charts
June 30, 2008
Ladbrokes, hit the weekly topspot in the amount of hits for the week ending the 14th June in the UK, I don’t know why I am bothering writing this, as I know for certain it’s not the most popular poker room in the UK. But it seems a lot of websites are reporting this fact, but ommiting to say why it made it to the topspot???
The reason, it got there IMO is the fact that the week ending 14th June was going to be Ladbrokes billionth hand and new look website. The WSOP freeroll, and the satellites to the WSOP. Not the fact that the software is the best, or the players are the softest, and every other reason why players decide to play sites. NOPE it could be to do with the $300,000 package for the billionth hand, that swelled the numbers up to a crazy amount of players, and a $14,000 package freeroll to the WSOP. Maybe I am being a bit tough, as used to like the site years ago, but the figures are not neccessarily what they seem at first.
I have yet to try the new look 3D or the flash version so can’t really comment, but when i do I will be reporting back.
Commentary and Fatigue
June 29, 2008
OK let me start by saying this WSOP I haven’t been paying particular attention, for a number of reasons. Although the fields may be bigger than last year, somehow the Buzz has gone for me? Harrahs is just a piss taking machine IMO.
However due to an interest in one particular local player, I tuned in to watch bwins coverage of event 46 ($5000 NLHE 6 handed) and was totally hooked. (Before I start moaning, can I just say how refreshing it was to see non pro’s, non sponsored, no nonsense poker.
The first hand I watched, was Richard Lyndaker’s double up with trip 9’s against Tom Lutz’s Aces, after winning this hand he seemed to lock up as the table fought it out. Within the hour we were heads up.
COMMENTARY
Heres where it all went a bit Pete Tong! Ok to start with the action was a bit slow, but the farce of a commentary team (Steve Dannennman and Howard David) tried the usual fill-in chat. What a load of croc!!
First topic they entered into was the Main Event Final being delayed for 4 months. The first thing opposers say is “what happens if someone dies in the waiting period?” (Fair enough question) but the solutions by these 2 moronic, experienced poker players were nothing more than speculative gobbledegook.
1st Solution by the less experienced Howard “Maybe a member of their family can take their place”
Solution from Steve “Maybe there could be a television competition, whereby the main prize could be to take the empty seat”………….. What the hell?
I had already spoken to Charlie Ciresi (The Main Tournament Director of the WSOP) about this, and he was anti the delay to start with, but is now fully in favour of (I am still sceptical BTW). My first question was exactly the same as everyone elses “So Charlie, what happens if someone dies, whilst waiting the 4 months?”, he replied by stating the odds of that are so huge, but then gave me the answer I already knew. The players chips will remain at the table and will be anti’d out.
Anyway back to the commentary, luckily Jeffery Pollack (WSOP Commissionaire), must have been watching the coverage, because he came into the studio to rectify the stupid commentators suggestions.
Next gripe is the constant advertisement of new book coming out later this year, also the website of SD, which he kept on stating to email him if we didn’t like the commentary (Email sent btw)
Next Gripe is about 80% of everything they said was completely wrong, corrected by the other (or producer) then a discussion covering own back
Next Gripe is all of this was going on whilst major hands are in play, interupted by the other commentator asking “did he call then?” and getting all excited, when if he had been paying any attention whatsoever he would have heard the words ” I fold” this went on all night.
Next Gripe is the complete disregard of the actual game, and saying things like “Just Call, and lets get this over now” and “Can’t we increase the blinds to $500,000 $1 million until we get a winner” and “this is getting really boring now, wake me up when it’s over”
Next Gripe is self opinionization, ” I would have won this six times over, if i was playing”
Next Gripe is the calling of cards by the commentators, who the fuck are they, just glad they don’t have anything to do with actually running a competition.
FATIGUE
I would just like to say, how personally i found this the best final i have ever watched, despite the clowns in the back chatting their bollox.
I found it intregueing to watch a loose passive, against a semi aggressive player, and watch them go through ALL the emotions, elations dissappointment, tiredness, losing concentration, picking themselves up and tilt. 200+ hands of normal (no bullshit) poker.
Joe Commisso should have had it in the bag early doors after playing exceptional aggressive poker, but lost a hand that he was 60% favourite to win and losing a 7 to 1 chip lead and his confidence. After it seemed that Richard Lyndaker, had simply given up.
Joes posture was very uncomfortable, and seemed to be aggetated by having to lean over to get his chips into the pot and collect them. The 18″ rail wasn’t doing the short arse any favours either. Richard however perked up and was sitting bolt upright. For some reason though Richard was not being very aggressive at all, and picked strange moments to min raise, just to get reraised by Joe, then pass. The strangest thing to me however was the questionable calls by Joe when Richard eventually changed gears.
13 Called All-ins, 10 of which the bad hand won, six hours of changing styles of poker made for a great spectacle, yes maybe a little tedious for some, but if i can get a copy of this event would be a great training tool for anyone who wanted to raise their end game, as every emotion was covered, including insanity.
But Congratulations To Both 22 year old Richard Lyndaker who will now be able to buy his house, and to the winner Joe Commisso who can now emigrate to Australia.
On a side note, I was actually routing for Lyndaker as somehow Commisso reminded me of Jamie Gold (which is annoying) even to the point of having an annoying twat spectating behind him advising him!!
UIGEA beginning of the end?
June 23, 2008
The UK Government and Peter Mandelson, will be sending a delegation over to the good ole US of A, to discuss the differences regarding online gaming, mainly regarding online poker. A complaint is due to be put to the World Trade Organization, by the European Union stating that online gaming companies have been discrimated against by America.
The House Financial Services Committee are due to look at Bill H.R.5767 on Tuesday and are looking to stop the UIGEA (Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act), to discuss any ammendments that need making, and to debate the actual practiclities of enforcement. The Poker Players Alliance is also backing the HFSC and are willing it’s members to get behind them.
The US and it’s Department of Justice is being it’s natural pig headed self, and state that it’s not discriminating even though it goes against the WTO, and is reported that it is stepping up the pursual of UK listed companies including PartyGaming, 888 Holdings and Sporting Bet, and has issued subpoenas to some European Banks.
WSOP ME FINAL TABLE
June 22, 2008
Basic Mistakes @ DTD
June 22, 2008
Dusk till Dawn seems to be falling into the same trap as the local casino cardrooms. After holding for 8 months reasonable competitions with great structures, some bright spark decided that rebuys were an answer to filling their cardroom up. I have noticed that the £40 PLO comp was cancelled due to lack of runners, along with their £200 FO that started 30 minutes before a £50 FO *mad imo*! Also the numbers have drastically reduced on Sunday Nights since they have made it a regular £100 rebuy.
I haven’t seen any official confirmation anywhere, but rumours have it that the Sunday £100 Rebuy will now be changed back to a £100 FO, the Tuesday £50+£50+£50 will be returning. But God knows what they will do with the Omaha comp or the £200 FO. If they have any sense they will make a bigger gap than 30 minutes between comps so punters can play both, my personal opinion is that the Omaha should be a limited rebuy max 2 and a top-up.
The smaller freezeouts seem to be where the masses enjoy playing, but do they want big numbers or high rakers for cash games …….. that is the question??
The potential is absolutely fabulous there, but I don’t feel that the people in charge are exploiting what can be a huge HUGE success.
When I first heard that there would be a legal dedicated cardroom, with a great capacity, I was expecting the place to be the training ground for Brits for ALL events at the WSOP, even holding a similar prestigeous event in this country, but they appear to be missing the boat.
Tipping Allowed in Grosvenors
June 17, 2008
Since 1968, the uk casino industry has seen the absence of tipping gaming staff. September 2007 saw the reintroduction of croupiers/dealers being allowed tips, on the back of the revised Gaming Act 2005.
Even though tipping has been allowed for over 10 months only 2 places in the Uk have allowed tipping. Dusk till Dawn in Nottingham and The Isle of Capri in Coventry. UNTIL NOW!!!! Since the 17th June 2008, Grosvenor casinos are now allowing tips on the gaming floor and poker rooms, although, the stipulation remains that tips must be divided equally between all the licensed staff.
If you would like to comment on this article please visit UK Poker Life Forum