WSOP 2005 (spoilers)

[murphyz]

This thread contains spoilers about this year's Word Series of Poker - please do not read if you do not want to see any of the results.

As I doubt I would be able to avoid finding out who the winner of this year's main event in the World Series is before it airs in October or sometime around then, I've been keeping up to date with the proceedings via cardplayer.com who give live updates throughout the day (night if in UK) on what is happening.

First up - a few people who went out very early who I wanted to see progress quite far this year are Daniel Negreanu and last year's #2 placing David Williams. I had wanted to see both players progress to the final stages of this tournament but I doubt they will have very much coverage on TV except to say 'oh look - they're out early'.

Dan Harrington was also put out on Day 4. I'm sure you would all agree that he is a remarkable player who has made the final table for the past 2 years - an amazing achievement and one I would have liked to see him continue with. He received an ovation when he was knocked out in a similar way to Doyle Brunson last year.

At the time of writing there are 6 women left in the tournament (a round of applause showed support for the women when this was announced - but wouldn't that be a bit condescending?). Out of my two favourite female players, Clonie Gowen is out ITM and Annie Duke - well, not even sure if she was playing. I assume she would be, but couldn't see any news on her.

Speaking of which, Howard Lederer appears to be doing very well indeed, as are a few of the other pro players such as Phil Ivey and Mike Matusow.

Dutch Boyd is still in the tournament after Day 5, although I think he's short stacked. I personally quite like the guy but he does seem to be one of those players a lot of people hate (some 'he ripped us off' incident with a site he started a while ago I think). We heard of 'The Crew' quite a bit last year and he is one of the members who's doing quite well after winning his seat to the main event in a last minute satellite.

A guy with the same name as me finished in 401st place - if only I could get hold of that cheque.

And finally, last year's winner Greg Raymer is still in the tourney and doing rather well. He seemed to be plodding his way through the first few days and not really doing much, but at the end of Day 5 he's pretty much the chip leader with just over a million in chips (official chip count to be released sometime this morning (afternoon in UK)). That's just less that 2% of the chips in play - so it's obviously a long way from over. He had mountains of the things last year so I can only assume the directors are using a higher denomination of chips this year...or reinforced tables.
It would obviously be a big deal if he made it to the final table, and I'm not even considering him as a winner again just yet - be great to see though.

Mxx

[kotsba]

great great compatition it was,ha?
do you know how a simple poker tournament player like me can get a ticket to this tourney next year?
the last hand left me completly breatless..it was awsom.i wanna be there too..

[murphyz]

It was indeed a very good competition, and it just goes to show any two cards can win. I managed to win a game the other night with 84o against AKs by flopping 2 eights and a 4 of the turn.

There's a few ways to enter the tournament.

1) pay $10,000
2) win a satellite seat, either in a casino that might be doing them, or one of the thousands available online. You can enter some for as little as $1, but that means you have to work a lot harder to get there.
3) get someone to sponsor you.

For most players nowadays, it seems satellites are the way to go.

Mxx