Kids Take Over at the World Series of Poker

I am writing this column on the morning of the first day of the "Big One" at the World Series of Poker. All of the events have concluded except the world championship and the gold bracelet match-play tournament. The heads-up match-play event drew 29 gold bracelet winners, all playing for pride more than the money. Some say there isn't much value in playing heads-up no-limit hold'em against other champs. I say poker is filled with egos, and a heads-up match-play tournament should determine the best of the best at heads-up play. From the spectators' perspective, it was great to watch, and there were even betting lines on some of the matches. The final four players (all of whom are part of the Card Player family) were Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Tom McEvoy, and Diego Cordovez. Phil beat Tom and Johnny beat Diego in semifinal matches, so the stage was set for a clash between Chan and Hellmuth for the championship. The problem was that these two guys were too busy (or scared) to face each other before the Big One. If Phil wins the match, he will have eight gold bracelets and bragging rights, and if Johnny wins, both players will have seven bracelets. Either way, two of the best have an opportunity to add to their resumes.

Speaking of the Big One, Mike Paulle's article about the world championship begins on Page 50.

A few nights ago I had a night out with some friends. Usually, when someone asks me what I do, I either tell the truth or come up with a few of my standard lies, such as I am a bodybuilder, sports agent, or astronaut. On this night out, I opted to say that I was a professional poker player – which I am not. The recipient of my lie asked me, "Isn't poker just a bunch of old guys with cigars?" I immediately explained that there are plenty of outstanding young players and women who rule the game these days. To prove it, here are some of the WSOP bracelet winners this year, all of whom are kids – or at least act like kids:

Perry Friedman – $1,500 Omaha high-low

Layne Flack – $2,000 no-limit hold'em and $1,500 no-limit hold'em

Phil Ivey – $1,500 stud, $2,500 stud eight-or-better, and $2,000 S.H.O.E.

John Hennigan – $2,000 H.O.R.S.E.

Eddie Fishman – $2,500 Omaha high-low

John McIntosh – $1,500 pot-limit hold'em

Jennifer Harman – $5,000 limit hold'em

Robert Williamson – $5,000 pot-limit Omaha

Meng La – $1,500 limit hold'em

Mike Matusow – $5,000 Omaha high-low

Allen Cunningham – $5,000 deuce-to-seven

John Juanda – $1,500 ace-to-five triple draw