World Series of Poker Kicks Off With Casino Employees EventCash Games, Satellites and Non-Bracelet Events Already Up and Running |
|
With the announcement of “shuffle up and deal,” the first event of the 2012 World Series Of Poker officially kicked off on Sunday, marking the start of the 43rd annual summer series.
Tournament Director Jack Effel, along with longtime poker dealer Richard Turnbull were on hand to deliver the famous words that traditionally kick off each tournament and hundreds of players sat down for the $500 buy-in Casino Employees event.
The event, which used to be known as the Dealer’s Championship, began in 2000. Last year, part-time poker dealer Sean Drake bested a field of 850 to earn his first gold bracelet and the $82,292 first-place prize.
At the time of this report, registration was still open for the 2012 edition, but the number of entrants had already surpassed the 750 players mark.
The field is filled with a diverse crowd of casino employees. Some are newcomers and others have been attending the WSOP for decades.
Mike Heffner, a 46-year-old craps dealer at the Sands Bethlehem Casino in Pennsylvania, has been playing since 2001.
“I was a dealer at the Flamingo for 11 years before moving East,” said Heffner. “Overall, I’ve been playing poker for more than 30 years.”
Dave Fried, a 55-year-old poker dealer from the Isle of Capri in Pompano Beach, Florida, is also a seasoned veteran of the game, having played the Series back when it was held at Binion’s Casino in downtown Las Vegas.
“I’m here this summer to work as a dealer, but I always try to play if I can,” said Fried. “In 2005, I finished 33rd in what was at the time the biggest tournament in poker history.”
Fried, who has 18 career cashes and several final tables, has earned more than $150,000 on the felt, in addition to his duties as a dealer. But the tournament also has its fair share of rookies, such as the unfortunately named Corwin Fish, a 38-year-old security supervisor at the Buffalo Thunder Casino Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Fish has some experience playing in Heartland Poker Tour event, but he has never attended the WSOP.
“I made the trip out here just to play in this event,” said Fish. “I’ve been playing for eight years total, so now is the time to see if I have what it takes to win a bracelet.”
The WSOP is now officially in full swing. In addition to the first event, the cash games and satellites are also up and running. The Rio is also offering non-bracelet tournaments at 2, 6 and 10 p.m.
The first open event kicks off at noon on Monday. Until then, check out our WSOP landing page, which has an archive of WSOP history and past results.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
