By the time you read this, the final table for the World Series of Poker main event will be set in stone, and the promotion of the nine remaining players will have taken off. I believe that most players, including myself, have gotten used to the thought of the gigantic cliff-hanger that the final table of the world's largest poker tournament represents. Let's hope that it is going to be a massive success, encouraging Harrah's to distribute some of the earnings from lucrative TV deals, sponsor deals, and so on back to the main event's real attraction -- the players.
It is obvious that I would love to be among the final nine. But looking back at last year's tournament, it comes to mind just how much it takes to pound your way through such a massive field of solid rocks, hyperaggressive maniacs, and everybody in between.
Last year, I played three almost-perfect days, only to make a couple of horrible mistakes toward the end of the tournament.
Anyway, I would like to share a few reflections on this year's WSOP with you.
- Interest: Despite what many so-called experts predicted, the WSOP is experiencing increased interest from the poker community. Across the board, we are seeing a higher number of entrants, and the Rio has done well to accommodate everybody, instead of last year's "alternate circus." On a side note, a lot of people were not allowed to play in the $10,000 heads-up championship, as Harrah's decided
to cap the event at 256 players. Please, Mr. Pollack, make sure that everybody is let in next year, and just play with byes in the first round.
- Cash Games: Compared to last year, there are almost no big cash games going on! It seems that everybody is cash-broke compared to last year's cash-game action culminating in the psychotic $1,000-$2,000 no-cap pot-limit Omaha and no-limit hold'em games. Occasionally, there is a big game going on this year, although it resembles the traditional $2,000-$4,000, $3,000-$6,000, or $4,000-$8,000 limit mixed game that has been going on for years.
- Tournaments: The big-name pros (unfortunately, myself excluded) have really stepped up to the plate this year. Congrats to Barry Greenstein, Daniel Negreanu, and many others for adding yet another bracelet to their collections.
- Side Bets: One of the reasons for everybody being cash-broke might be the heavy side-bet action. Everybody has been talking about Phil Ivey's bets to win a bracelet against Eli Elezra and lots of other players, but that is really just the tip of the iceberg compared to all of the other side action during the last three weeks at the table, on the golf course, and so on. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top once the smoke clears. So far, Ivey is in the hole, but the WSOP is far from over.
- My Series So Far: In order to "survive" the month-and-a-half WSOP experience, I try to stay away from the low buy-in events with thousands of players. Still, I have ended up playing fewer events than I originally anticipated. As for results, I came very close to making my first WSOP final table (finishing 10th in the $10,000 mixed event), but apart from that, there's nothing worth mentioning. Although I still have to play the pot-limit Omaha $10,000 event, the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, and the main event, at this point, I am not too happy about my results.
Enough WSOP talk.
I would like to thank all of you who have sent me comments on my book Every Hand Revealed. It is impossible for me to get back to all of you, but your feedback is greatly appreciated. You can reach me at [email protected]. 
Gus plays online exclusively at FullTiltPoker.com. Be a part of Gus Hansen's poker community at www.theplayr.com, where, among other cool things, you can check out Gus' blogs, analysis, poker articles, Gus TV, Tips 'n' Tricks, "Ask Gus," and even play against Gus in exclusive online and live tournaments.
