Happy November Nine

It’s been quite a remarkable World Series of Poker for many reasons. Despite the world being in the grip of the worst recession in decades, the WSOP attracted more players than at any time in its 40-year history and set many new records.

• The 60,875 entries in this year’s 57 tournaments smashed last year’s (record) total of 58,720 entries.
• Ten events sold out — the largest number ever.
• The largest poker tournament field ever outside of the WSOP main event saw 6,012 pay $1,000 to play in the ‘Stimulus Special” event.
• The largest pot-limit Omaha event in history attracted 809 players.

WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said this year’s Series had exceeded “every expectation” — it certainly exceeded the expectations of Jeff Lisandro who won three bracelets and player of the Series.

However, there’s no doubt that the circus surrounding the inability of up to 500 players, who wished to pay their $10,000 entry fee, to play in the main event was the major sour note, but one from which both Harrah’s and players can learn.

The players were warned that day 1D might possibly sell out and that they should register early to ensure playing on that day or consider playing one of the earlier days, so it is difficult to feel much sympathy for them.

Harrah’s would certainly have loved them to play as it would most likely have meant this year’s main event numbers would have exceeded last year’s — a popular barometer for measuring the “health” of poker among many players and commentators.

They have never had to turn anyone away from this event before and it must surely stick in the craw that they had to on this occasion.

The company has said this issue will be top of the agenda when they sit down to analyze the successes and failures of this year’s Series, and it’s probably fair to say they will put in place measures to ensure they don’t get caught out like this again.

November Nine
Congratulations to the November Nine, particularly Card Player publisher Jeff “Happy” Shulman who finally has a chance to avenge his cruel seventh-place exit at the hands of Chris “Jesus” Ferguson in the WSOP main event final in 2000.

This year’s final looks the most promising in years with pros Phil Ivey and Brit James Akenhead also in the race for the $8.45 million top prize.

Good luck to all and while the ‘people’s champion’ in waiting, Phil Ivey, will surely draw the most support, forgive us for funking for Happy. One time!