It's been a great
World Series of Poker so far. As we go to press, about 40 events have concluded, the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event is in full swing, and there have been lots of interesting story lines that have emerged. Eli Elezra and Jeffrey Lisandro captured their first bracelets, an entire slew of young online players are breaking out and scoring huge wins, and, for the first time in nearly four years, a woman has captured a bracelet in an open-field event. Congratulations to Katja Thater, as she won the $1,500 seven-card razz event.
While I mentioned it in the last issue, Phil Hellmuth also added a record 11th bracelet to his collection, and he has emerged as the biggest story so far. We were able to grab some of Phil's time to discuss this huge win and get a glimpse into Phil's active life away from the tables. He is an amazing guy, and through his many business ventures is exposing many more people to the great game of poker - and, in the process, making a mint for himself.
We're also excited to profile the Poker Hall of Fame in this issue.
Every sport has its memorial. Baseball has Cooperstown, New York. Football has Canton, Ohio. And poker has, well, Las Vegas. Learn all about the Hall and its history in this issue
Since the Hall of Fame was unveiled in 1979, it has honored top poker players and gamblers. In all, the Hall is comprised of 35 road gamblers, entrepreneurs, professional high-stakes players, and
WSOP champions. Even some personalities known outside of the poker world, such as "Wild Bill" Hickok, who was famously killed while playing poker, have won a seat in the Hall of Fame.
This year, in early July, it was announced that the newest members were Phil Hellmuth and Barbara Enright. Barbara, who was the first woman ever to win a major open-field
World Series of Poker event (pot-limit hold'em in 1996) and is the only woman to make the
WSOP $10,000 main-event final table, is the first female member of the Hall of Fame.
Congratulations to the newest members and all of the poker legends who have been honored.
Hopefully, the keepers of the Hall of Fame will create a permanent memorial so that fans around the world can have a destination that chronicles and celebrates the great personalities who have made the game what it is today.
