World Series of Poker Wrap Up

As mentioned, my 2009 World Series of Poker is over. It was nothing short of a failure, really. I had a great time being involved in it for the fourth straight year, and I'll be back next year of course. Officially, I cashed 3 out of 29 times over the course of the 5.5 weeks that I participated. Over the long term, I'm gonna cash 4 times out of every 29 events, so I can live with going 3 for 29. In poker tournaments though, you obviously are gonna have to make some very deep runs to cover the buy-ins, and I just didn't do it. The highlight of my series was a 5th place finish in the $1500 HORSE. I don't really know how to play the stud games, but I DO know how and when to apply pressure late in tournaments, so that helped me a lot. If a couple more things go my way I might even get out of there with the bracelet. Additionally, I had a tiny cash in the $1500 PLO event after finishing 66th, and I had an exciting run in the $5000 6 handed event where I finished 37th of the 928 entrants. I know a lot of people get wet reading about numbers in poker blogs, so I'll provide some. I invested a staggering $131,000 in tournament buy-ins this summer. Coming into the Series I expected to maybe play somewhere between $95,000 and $115,000 in buy-ins. I cashed for a total of $71,400 therefore turning a net loser $59,600. Any businessman knows that -45.5% isn't exactly the ROI you're looking for when you invest. In my career I've now played 94 World Series of Poker events and have scored 13 cashes including 3 final tables. I've been unable to capture a bracelet so far though :( In 2006 I cashed 3 times in 22 events and was a $35,135 loser. In 2007 I cashed 3 times in 21 events and turned a $5,249 winner. In 2008 I cashed 4 times in 22 events and turned a $314,498 winner. In 2009 I cashed 3 times in 29 events and was a $59,600 loser. Therefore, in my WSOP career I've turned a $225,012 winner and have invested $325,000. This amounts to a +69% ROI. SS