Miscellaneous Thoughts About the 2012 World Series of Poker

I’ve been participating in the WSOP since 1980 and it seems to get bigger and better every year. My column this time reflects 25 miscellaneous thoughts that occurred to me pertaining to poker’s most prestigious event.

1. It’s hard to imagine the extensive amount of planning and coordination that is necessary to make the WSOP the world’s premier poker event. The staff does an amazing job handling the logistics of running multiple tournaments, satellites, and cash games simultaneously.

2. There’s far too much whining in poker today. No one cares if you missed 19 flush draws in a row, by the way, are you sure it was 19 and not 20, and why did you start counting? It’s annoying to hear players cry like babies when they take a beat and then think it’s meant to be when they hit their one-outers.

3. If the WSOP used all-in buttons, it would probably alleviate most of the floor calls regarding all-in decisions.

4. The player who tweeted that players shouldn’t be nice to dealers because so many of them are bad should apologize for making such an insensitive comment, especially since his mother works in the service industry.

5. The coverage of the WSOP through streaming and tournament updates was phenomenal! The commentators did a great job of calling the action and educating the viewers. I actually wish it wasn’t so good since I spent far too many hours home glued to my computer.

6. There needs to be more trash cans in the poker areas. Poker players would probably get up and dispose of their trash rather than throwing it under the poker table if there was a trash can nearby.

7. Overall, the WSOP staff did an excellent job!

8. Thanks due to Ty Stewart for setting aside an hour each day with an “open-door” policy that allowed players to meet with him and tell him what was on their minds.

9. I’m all in favor of allowing massages at the poker table, but perhaps the massage personnel should be instructed to make sure that players leave appropriate clothing on during the massage? After all, who wants to sit next to someone with their shoes and socks off and their feet near your face?

10. Kudos to whomever chose Jessica Welman to be the managing editor of wsop.com! She is a brilliant writer and has a terrific mind for business.

11. Women players performed extremely well at the 2012 WSOP. Special congratulations to Allyn Shulman and Vanessa Selbst for winning gold bracelets this year.

12. Congratulations to Antonio Esfandiari for taking over the number one spot as all-time tournament money leader. BTW, the Big One for the Big Drop was great for poker as it drew interest throughout the world.

13. I’d like to hear more of the prop bets made during the WSOP. I love the one regarding what odds would you have to get to bet that the main event winner would be over 40 years of age,

14. Did it really have to be so cold in the ballrooms?

15. The podcasts from Quad Jacks were very interesting and entertaining. I liked the controversial subjects. The Final Table and Fifth Street Radio also had some great topics and guest spots.

16. The dress-up days by the floor people were very cool. In particular, I loved the zoot suits with the pink ties worn by day shift in honor of the ladies event and the “white suit” attire worn by the swing shift.

17. It still irritates me that a piece of fruit in the Poker Kitchen is priced so high. They did change the price midway though…in response to complaints about charging $2.50 for a banana, the price was raised to $2.75. 

18 The WSOP valet parkers do a great job! They run for every car, even in 112 degree heat.

19. It would be a good idea to have massive numbers of hand sanitizers in the poker halls. This might help prevent the spread of colds and disease since lots of people get sick during the WSOP every year.

20. The new chairs are very comfortable. Hopefully the old chairs will all be replaced by 2013.

21. The Daily Deep Stack tournaments at the Rio were a great value. Players were winning $50,000 or more for a few hundred dollars investment.

22. The same players who yell about wanting good dealers are often the ones who don’t tip in the live games. If you want good dealers, tip the good ones so they will come back.

23. Ladies room attendants Annette and Irene did an outstanding job and were friendly to the players.

24. The bracelet ceremonies are awesome. I disagree 100 percent with a forum post that said that no one likes the playing of the national anthem. Call me sentimental but I love hearing it and feel a tremendous sense of pride and patriotism when it is played. Please keep this ceremony!

25. With so much cash on the tables, it would have been reassuring to have more of a security presence in the live game area. Also, more security and shuttle service is needed in the parking lot..

I can’t wait for the 2013 WSOP…bring it on! ♠

Linda Johnson is a member of the Poker Hall of Fame and the Women in Poker Hall of Fame. She is available to host tournaments, seminars, and corporate events. You can contact her at www.cardplayercruises.com.