2001 World Series of Poker - Week No. 1

I never cease to be amazed by the caliber of play and the repeat winners at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Yes, as you read this, the 2001 WSOP is nearing its conclusion, but as of this writing, week No. 1 of the WSOP is not over, and all I can say is, "Wow! Just look at the top finishers so far."

The first event was a $2,000 buy-in limit hold'em tournament. Much to the delight of many, it was won by a lady, Nani Dollison. Nani picked up her second bracelet in two years. She happens to be the reigning ladies world champion. Nani is on a roll, as she also won a tournament at the recently concluded World Poker Open in Tunica, Mississippi.

Dollison's WSOP win against a record field of 615 players netted her a cool $441,440. This win, coupled with last year's WSOP win, vaulted her to the top of the women's all-time money winning list at the WSOP. Well done, Nani!

Here's a happy little story about her victory. Her boyfriend, Tom Dye, played a one-table satellite for this event and won it. Now, most people who win a WSOP satellite can't wait to play the event. Well, Tom is no dummy. He said to her, "You play a lot better than I do, so you play for us." She did and, voila! Tom's a little bit of Sir Walter Raleigh, Einstein, and Bill Gates ($441,440) rolled into one. Congrats to both Nani and Tom.

Event No. 2 was the $1,500 buy-in Omaha eight-or-better tournament. This event was captured by none other than Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, the reigning world champion of poker. It sure didn't take Chris long to get back to the WSOP winner's circle (two events, to be exact), and add another $164,735 to his WSOP earnings. And think about this: Of the previous six or seven WSOP events that were played going into this event, Ferguson won three (the 2000 seven-card stud title and $10,000 buy-in world championship, and the 2001 Omaha eight-or-better title). That's incredible! (And all of his wins were in different games.)

To capture this bracelet, Ferguson had to knock off one of the toughest tournament players in the world, Men "The Master" Nguyen. The Master was going for his fifth bracelet, and was on a tournament tear going into this event. He played in two events at Bay 101's Shooting Stars tournament and chopped up both of them (for about $50,000). Then, the next day he headed for the World Poker Open in Tunica. There, he captured a title, placed third in another tournament, and finished seventh in the championship event. He picked up more than $100,000 while strolling through the South. His runner-up finish here at the WSOP put another $84,595 into his bankroll. Perhaps he should be called the "Cashier" instead of the "Master."

The third-place finisher in the Omaha high-low tournament was Harry Thomas, another excellent poker player and WSOP bracelet winner. These players' one, two, three finish in Omaha high-low was quite a trifecta. Harry is married to Jeri Thomas, who is a beautiful poker player (in more ways than one). Jeri captured a seven-card stud event at last year's WSOP. And for a little WSOP trivia, Harry and Jeri Thomas are one of only two married couples who each have won bracelets at the WSOP (Max and Maria Stern are the other).

Event No. 3 provided seven-card stud standout Adam Roberts the opportunity to avenge his second-place finish in stud three years ago at the WSOP. He did just that, capturing the coveted bracelet and $164,430. Nice going, Adam.

Event No. 4, the $2,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament, really brought the cream to the top. This event featured a very tough field of 441 entrants from around the world. The final two participants, T.J. Cloutier and Phil Hellmuth Jr., are considered by many (including me) to be the two best no-limit hold'em tournament players in the world today. They are also first and third, respectively, on the all-time money winning list at the WSOP, and have a combined total of 11 bracelets between them. Talk about your classic showdown!

This historic confrontation was won by Phil Hellmuth Jr. It was Hellmuth's seventh bracelet, all of which, amazingly, have been won in hold'em events, which are the largest events at the WSOP. But don't feel too sorry for runner-up Cloutier. He added $162,550 to his WSOP money-leading total. Layne Flack, another WSOP bracelet winner from last year, finished third. Talk about thoroughbreds getting to the finish line … whew!

My hat is off to all of these great champions. I can't wait to see what happens next. Take care.

Mike Sexton can be reached by E-mail at: [email protected].