News Topic - WSOP
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Everest Poker WSOP sponsorship hailed a success
Through a multi-year agreement signed on March 5, 2008, with Harrah's Entertianment Inc., Everest Poker was able to provide satellite tournaments for its players to go to the 2008 World Series of Poker. Not only did the poker site host qualifiers for the Main Event, it also provided satellites to 28 side events. "Being sponsor of the WSOP further underlines Everest Poker's weight as a key influencer of the poker industry" said Jennifer Joyce, Everest Poker chief marketing officer. "By making poker accessible to amateurs and experienced players from across the globe, we are changing the face of the poker industry." The new alliance between Everest Poker and Harrah's helped the WSOP attract a record number on non-American players. In fact, players from 24 European countries attended this year's event. There was a 36% increase in the number of countries participating in the Main Event compared to last year, and four of the nine players at the final table are from outside the United States. Everest Poker sent 130 players to the WSOP. Four of those players managed to make it to the money as well in various events. In Event 52, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em, Voitoo Rintalla turned his seat win from Everest Poker into a final-table finish. He came in ninth place to win more than $57,000 to take back to Finland. Scandinavia was also well-represented by Johan Slutter, from Enchlade, Netherlands, who managed to cash in two events. He came in 66th in a $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $8,855, and then made it to 603rd in the Main Event for another $23,160. Team Everest also had a Japanese player, Wooka Kim, who made it into the money in the Main Event. He came in 530th for $25,090. However, the Everest Poker player who made it the deepest in the Main Event was Sylvain Coeur, from France. Coeur made it as far as 140th before busting for a $41,816 payday. The Main Event was Coeur's first-ever live tournament, which he qualified for at Everest Poker. Everest poker also hosted a hospitality lounge at the WSOP this year. It was an exclusive area for press and poker players that included a fully equipped press corner for journalists to condust interview in the lounge. Between June 19 and July 12 Everest Poker welcomed 1,000 players to the lounge including Daniel Negreanu, Marcel Luske and Doyle Brunson. The main part of the WSOP is now over, but Everest Poker is now building up to the Main Event finale that will take place in November. The nine players left in the Main Event have a break until Nov. 9 when they'll return to the Rio to finish the tournament. For more information about what the poker site has to offer players, visit Everest Poker. Related Articles: Everest Poker to cosponsor German poker leagueEverest Poker signs multi-year deal withWSOPBar Poker League awards fifth WSOP seatVisit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 21, 2008 8:06 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Through a multi-year agreement signed on March 5, 2008, with Harrah's Entertianment Inc., Everest Poker was able to provide satellite tournaments for its players to go to the 2008 World Series of Poker. Not only did the poker site host qualifiers for the Main Event, it also provided satellites to 28 side events. "Being sponsor of the WSOP further underlines Everest Poker's weight as a key influencer of the poker industry" said Jennifer Joyce, Everest Poker chief marketing officer. "By making poker accessible to amateurs and experienced players from across the globe, we are changing the face of the poker industry." The new alliance between Everest Poker and Harrah's helped the WSOP attract a record number on non-American players. In fact, players from 24 European countries attended this year's event. There was a 36% increase in the number of countries participating in the Main Event compared to last year, and four of the nine players at the final table are from outside the United States. Everest Poker sent 130 players to the WSOP. Four of those players managed to make it to the money as well in various events. In Event 52, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em, Voitoo Rintalla turned his seat win from Everest Poker into a final-table finish. He came in ninth place to win more than $57,000 to take back to Finland. Scandinavia was also well-represented by Johan Slutter, from Enchlade, Netherlands, who managed to cash in two events. He came in 66th in a $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $8,855, and then made it to 603rd in the Main Event for another $23,160. Team Everest also had a Japanese player, Wooka Kim, who made it into the money in the Main Event. He came in 530th for $25,090. However, the Everest Poker player who made it the deepest in the Main Event was Sylvain Coeur, from France. Coeur made it as far as 140th before busting for a $41,816 payday. The Main Event was Coeur's first-ever live tournament, which he qualified for at Everest Poker. Everest poker also hosted a hospitality lounge at the WSOP this year. It was an exclusive area for press and poker players that included a fully equipped press corner for journalists to condust interview in the lounge. Between June 19 and July 12 Everest Poker welcomed 1,000 players to the lounge including Daniel Negreanu, Marcel Luske and Doyle Brunson. The main part of the WSOP is now over, but Everest Poker is now building up to the Main Event finale that will take place in November. The nine players left in the Main Event have a break until Nov. 9 when they'll return to the Rio to finish the tournament. For more information about what the poker site has to offer players, visit Everest Poker. Related Articles: Everest Poker to cosponsor German poker leagueEverest Poker signs multi-year deal withWSOPBar Poker League awards fifth WSOP seatVisit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 21, 2008 8:06 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Wise: Always a bridesmaid
Andy Bloch is one of the most recognized players in the poker world, but he's missing one thing: a WSOP bracelet.
ESPN – Jul 21, 2008 3:32 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Andy Bloch is one of the most recognized players in the poker world, but he's missing one thing: a WSOP bracelet.
ESPN – Jul 21, 2008 3:32 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
2008 WSOP coverage begins airing Tuesday
The shows will be aired at 8 p.m. each Tuesday starting on July 22. They will be broadcast over the next 17 weeks, for a total of 33 hours of coverage leading up to the footage of the final table of the 2008 WSOP Main Event. The 2008 WSOP was the year of the pros' return to the top ranks, with many name pros taking down events. Erick Lindgren finally got his first bracelet, as did David Benyamine. Daniel Negreanu picked up his fourth, and Mike Matusow stayed right on his heels, picking up his third bracelet. Another notable win this year was that of Scotty Nguyen. He took down the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship, defeating a field filled with other big name pros. All that action will be heading straight to poker fans' TVs now so they can soak it in for the next few months until the Main Event players reconvene in Las Vegas to play out the final table in November. ESPN will air footage from the first few days of the Main Event leading up to the November final. Then the final table will begin play again in November, playing down to the top two on Nov. 9. On the evening of Nov. 10, the two finalists will begin playing heads-up and are expected to play into the early morning hours of Nov. 11. Once that has wrapped up, ESPN will air how the final table played out that evening, giving same-day coverage to discover who the winner is. Lon McEachem and Norman Chad will also return this year to provide commentary for all of the WSOP events being aired. For more information about the 2008 WSOP events, visit our Live Tournaments section.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 20, 2008 7:10 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
The shows will be aired at 8 p.m. each Tuesday starting on July 22. They will be broadcast over the next 17 weeks, for a total of 33 hours of coverage leading up to the footage of the final table of the 2008 WSOP Main Event. The 2008 WSOP was the year of the pros' return to the top ranks, with many name pros taking down events. Erick Lindgren finally got his first bracelet, as did David Benyamine. Daniel Negreanu picked up his fourth, and Mike Matusow stayed right on his heels, picking up his third bracelet. Another notable win this year was that of Scotty Nguyen. He took down the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship, defeating a field filled with other big name pros. All that action will be heading straight to poker fans' TVs now so they can soak it in for the next few months until the Main Event players reconvene in Las Vegas to play out the final table in November. ESPN will air footage from the first few days of the Main Event leading up to the November final. Then the final table will begin play again in November, playing down to the top two on Nov. 9. On the evening of Nov. 10, the two finalists will begin playing heads-up and are expected to play into the early morning hours of Nov. 11. Once that has wrapped up, ESPN will air how the final table played out that evening, giving same-day coverage to discover who the winner is. Lon McEachem and Norman Chad will also return this year to provide commentary for all of the WSOP events being aired. For more information about the 2008 WSOP events, visit our Live Tournaments section.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 20, 2008 7:10 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
The PokerStars Million Dollar Men
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The six million dollar men are as follows: Dennis Phillips - $26,295,000 The 53 year old commercial truck dealer from Missouri could not be more humble, positive and excited about his run so far, and his ability to keep it going in November. Being one of the chip leaders for the last few days of the WSOP, it was to nobody's surprise to see him finish at the top of the final table. Although he plans to go back to work, I have a feeling he will be changing his mind, after all with a $900,000 check in his pocket, and a chance at making millions more in four months, there's a good chance he will take the time to hone his skill to the best of his ability. Dennis Phillips talks all about the final table and his feelings on how it will play out in his interview with us, found here. Ivan Demidov - $24,400,000 At the age of 27, this WSOP Main Event marks the first live tournament Demidov has ever played. Sitting in second place in chips, and having already made a minimum of $900,000, a good start to his live tournament career. Coming from Moscow, if Ivan Demidov is able to take the bracelet he will be the first ever Russian to win the WSOP Main Event. Peter Eastgate - 18,375,000 In our interview with the 22-year old Peter Eastgate, the European tells us how he chipped up from 10 million to his current 18 million in chips during the 10 player bubble. "There was one big pot where I raised under the gun with aces and got three callers. The flop came down 3-5-5 and I led out. I got one caller and the turn was a six. We both checked it and I bet really big when a jack hit the river. I got an insta-call and my aces were good." Eastgate's an established online player, known as being young and unpredictable. His reputation may be part of the reason he's so calm and confident about the final table in November. Ylon Schwarz - 12,525,000 With a total of 11 cashes in WSOP events since 2005, the 38 year old New York gambler has plenty of experience to put to use. Having stayed very much under the radar throughout the event, Schwarz was able to play small ball, consistently picking up smaller pots to keep himself in the money. In his run for the final table, Schwarz took his seat on his first TV table; the experience freaked him out a little bit. "I went a little nuts. I just snapped there for a second. So I have to regroup. I'm glad the dinner break is here." If you want to find out exactly what he's talking about, you can read the whole story in our interview here. Darus "Dennis_TO" Suharto - 12,520,000 A 39 year old Canadian accountant, Darus Suharto is relatively unknown in the poker world. He first heard of the WSOP in 2005, won himself a seat in the 2006 Main Event in a PokerStars satellite. He cashed in that event and has been hooked ever since. His biggest hand during the bubble was against Joe Bishop. To read all about it, check out our interview with Dennis_TO. David "Chino" Rheem - 10,230,000 At 28 years old, David Rheem is the best known player on the table. He has had multiple WSOP final table appearances, and having sat at the feature table with the likes of Matusow and Hellmuth during this Main Event, the other players will have plenty of opportunity to watch his play before they take their seats. In perhaps the most humorous response to a question about his opponents studying his play, Rheem told us: "Well, if the other eight people at the table are reading this I'm just going to get piss drunk every night from now until the final table. I'm not going to plan or think at all. I'm just going to raise every pot without looking." Click here to read the whole interview of the 10 Million chipped threat.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 19, 2008 6:06 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} The six million dollar men are as follows: Dennis Phillips - $26,295,000 The 53 year old commercial truck dealer from Missouri could not be more humble, positive and excited about his run so far, and his ability to keep it going in November. Being one of the chip leaders for the last few days of the WSOP, it was to nobody's surprise to see him finish at the top of the final table. Although he plans to go back to work, I have a feeling he will be changing his mind, after all with a $900,000 check in his pocket, and a chance at making millions more in four months, there's a good chance he will take the time to hone his skill to the best of his ability. Dennis Phillips talks all about the final table and his feelings on how it will play out in his interview with us, found here. Ivan Demidov - $24,400,000 At the age of 27, this WSOP Main Event marks the first live tournament Demidov has ever played. Sitting in second place in chips, and having already made a minimum of $900,000, a good start to his live tournament career. Coming from Moscow, if Ivan Demidov is able to take the bracelet he will be the first ever Russian to win the WSOP Main Event. Peter Eastgate - 18,375,000 In our interview with the 22-year old Peter Eastgate, the European tells us how he chipped up from 10 million to his current 18 million in chips during the 10 player bubble. "There was one big pot where I raised under the gun with aces and got three callers. The flop came down 3-5-5 and I led out. I got one caller and the turn was a six. We both checked it and I bet really big when a jack hit the river. I got an insta-call and my aces were good." Eastgate's an established online player, known as being young and unpredictable. His reputation may be part of the reason he's so calm and confident about the final table in November. Ylon Schwarz - 12,525,000 With a total of 11 cashes in WSOP events since 2005, the 38 year old New York gambler has plenty of experience to put to use. Having stayed very much under the radar throughout the event, Schwarz was able to play small ball, consistently picking up smaller pots to keep himself in the money. In his run for the final table, Schwarz took his seat on his first TV table; the experience freaked him out a little bit. "I went a little nuts. I just snapped there for a second. So I have to regroup. I'm glad the dinner break is here." If you want to find out exactly what he's talking about, you can read the whole story in our interview here. Darus "Dennis_TO" Suharto - 12,520,000 A 39 year old Canadian accountant, Darus Suharto is relatively unknown in the poker world. He first heard of the WSOP in 2005, won himself a seat in the 2006 Main Event in a PokerStars satellite. He cashed in that event and has been hooked ever since. His biggest hand during the bubble was against Joe Bishop. To read all about it, check out our interview with Dennis_TO. David "Chino" Rheem - 10,230,000 At 28 years old, David Rheem is the best known player on the table. He has had multiple WSOP final table appearances, and having sat at the feature table with the likes of Matusow and Hellmuth during this Main Event, the other players will have plenty of opportunity to watch his play before they take their seats. In perhaps the most humorous response to a question about his opponents studying his play, Rheem told us: "Well, if the other eight people at the table are reading this I'm just going to get piss drunk every night from now until the final table. I'm not going to plan or think at all. I'm just going to raise every pot without looking." Click here to read the whole interview of the 10 Million chipped threat.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 19, 2008 6:06 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Mike Watson wins WPT Bellagio Cup IV
With 336 players taking to the felt at the Bellagio last Friday, it came down to a final table of six players on Thursday. World Series of Poker bracelet winners David Benyamine and John Phan were there along with Ralph Perry, Gabe Thaler, Luke Staudenmeier and Watson. Phan has been on a good run this year, finishing at a WPT final table in March and winning two WSOP bracelets this year as well. Benyamine also won a WSOP bracelet this year as well as making two other final tables and a 10th place finish in an event as well. Staudenmaier is a well-known online player who goes by IWearGoggles. Watson is also a prominent online player known as SirWatts. The final table played out as follows: Michael Watson - $1,673,770 David Benyamine - $840,295 Luke Staudenmaier - $452,465 Ralph Perry - $290,900 John Phan - $193,915 Gabriel Thaler - $129,275 On the final hand, Benyamine got all-in with #Kh#9h against Watson's #Qh#9s. The flop couldn't have been any better for Watson, bringing #Ad#Qc#6c. The turn brought a nine and the river was the #7d, giving Watson the win. To read more about the event and how Watson made it to his win, visit the WPT Live Tournaments section. The next stop on the WPT is at the Bicycle Casino in California in August. You better believe that PokerListings' top tournament reporting staff will be there as well to bring you the best coverage to be found anywhere online.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 18, 2008 10:36 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
With 336 players taking to the felt at the Bellagio last Friday, it came down to a final table of six players on Thursday. World Series of Poker bracelet winners David Benyamine and John Phan were there along with Ralph Perry, Gabe Thaler, Luke Staudenmeier and Watson. Phan has been on a good run this year, finishing at a WPT final table in March and winning two WSOP bracelets this year as well. Benyamine also won a WSOP bracelet this year as well as making two other final tables and a 10th place finish in an event as well. Staudenmaier is a well-known online player who goes by IWearGoggles. Watson is also a prominent online player known as SirWatts. The final table played out as follows: Michael Watson - $1,673,770 David Benyamine - $840,295 Luke Staudenmaier - $452,465 Ralph Perry - $290,900 John Phan - $193,915 Gabriel Thaler - $129,275 On the final hand, Benyamine got all-in with #Kh#9h against Watson's #Qh#9s. The flop couldn't have been any better for Watson, bringing #Ad#Qc#6c. The turn brought a nine and the river was the #7d, giving Watson the win. To read more about the event and how Watson made it to his win, visit the WPT Live Tournaments section. The next stop on the WPT is at the Bicycle Casino in California in August. You better believe that PokerListings' top tournament reporting staff will be there as well to bring you the best coverage to be found anywhere online.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 18, 2008 10:36 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Edler's WSOP '08 Musings: Part 2 -- The answers
Editor's note: This is Part 2 of Bill Edler's column on the types of players he sees across the poker tournament circuit. Part 1 . Part II: The answers Before I give you the answers, I'd like to disc...
ESPN – Jul 18, 2008 6:07 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Editor's note: This is Part 2 of Bill Edler's column on the types of players he sees across the poker tournament circuit. Part 1 . Part II: The answers Before I give you the answers, I'd like to disc...
ESPN – Jul 18, 2008 6:07 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Team Ladbrokes player makes final table
"It's great to see a Ladbrokes Poker player make it through to the final table," said Edward Ihre, Ladbrokes Poker MD. "He's done brilliantly and definitely is a pro in the making. We're proud to call him a Ladbrokes regular - he's qualified through to the televised stages of Poker Million twice (2006 and 2007), so he's no stranger to high-stakes poker." Team Ladbrokes was led by Jon "skalie" Kalmar this year, who came in fifth in the 2007 WSOP Main Event. He has the best placing for a Ladbrokes Player so far in the Main Event, and he was also joined on the team by newly sponsored pro Jonas Danielsson. Neither of them made the money this year, but sponsored pro Jeff Kimber busted in 120th place to earn a $41,000 cash. According to Ladbrokes Poker, his tournament was ended when his pocket kings couldn't survive the full house of his opponent. In total, 81 of the 120 Team Ladbrokes players made it through the first day of play and into Day 2, but Eastgate is the last man standing from the team, and is sitting in good position to also best Kalmar's fifth-place finish. When play resumes in November, Eastgate will have more than $18.3 million in chips, good enough to put him fourth in the chip count. The Odense, Denmark, native is a professional poker player who also has a shot at taking over Phil Hellmuth's record for youngest Main Event winner if he can take the event down. At 22, he would best Hellmuth's record by about two years. Along with his experience playing in the Poker Million, Eastgate has a ninth-place finish in the 2007 Irish Open and a cash in the European Poker Tour Scandinavian Open. Ihre said that the Ladbrokes Poker players lounge has been credited as an invaluable asset to the Ladbrokes players. It is a refuge from the frenetic and exhausting pace of the WSOP, which could be why players have done so well. "We'll continue to improve on the lounge and the overall player experience in readiness for next year's Ladbrokes Poker qualifiers to the WSOP." For more information about the poker site and what it has to offer its players, visit Ladbrokes Poker. Related Article: Introducing the November NineVisit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 17, 2008 7:07 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
"It's great to see a Ladbrokes Poker player make it through to the final table," said Edward Ihre, Ladbrokes Poker MD. "He's done brilliantly and definitely is a pro in the making. We're proud to call him a Ladbrokes regular - he's qualified through to the televised stages of Poker Million twice (2006 and 2007), so he's no stranger to high-stakes poker." Team Ladbrokes was led by Jon "skalie" Kalmar this year, who came in fifth in the 2007 WSOP Main Event. He has the best placing for a Ladbrokes Player so far in the Main Event, and he was also joined on the team by newly sponsored pro Jonas Danielsson. Neither of them made the money this year, but sponsored pro Jeff Kimber busted in 120th place to earn a $41,000 cash. According to Ladbrokes Poker, his tournament was ended when his pocket kings couldn't survive the full house of his opponent. In total, 81 of the 120 Team Ladbrokes players made it through the first day of play and into Day 2, but Eastgate is the last man standing from the team, and is sitting in good position to also best Kalmar's fifth-place finish. When play resumes in November, Eastgate will have more than $18.3 million in chips, good enough to put him fourth in the chip count. The Odense, Denmark, native is a professional poker player who also has a shot at taking over Phil Hellmuth's record for youngest Main Event winner if he can take the event down. At 22, he would best Hellmuth's record by about two years. Along with his experience playing in the Poker Million, Eastgate has a ninth-place finish in the 2007 Irish Open and a cash in the European Poker Tour Scandinavian Open. Ihre said that the Ladbrokes Poker players lounge has been credited as an invaluable asset to the Ladbrokes players. It is a refuge from the frenetic and exhausting pace of the WSOP, which could be why players have done so well. "We'll continue to improve on the lounge and the overall player experience in readiness for next year's Ladbrokes Poker qualifiers to the WSOP." For more information about the poker site and what it has to offer its players, visit Ladbrokes Poker. Related Article: Introducing the November NineVisit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 17, 2008 7:07 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Break-out WSOP success fuels Michelle's career
Actually, it's Tiffany Michelle's career. It's in the process of blowing up. Big-time. Michelle is best known as the bombshell reporter for Poker News. She's also an aspiring actress, who has guest-starred in television shows like ER and made appearances in movies such as Semi-Pro. Now, after being bought into the world's biggest poker event by pros Tony G and Jeff Lisandro, this poker babe is among the most successful female players in WSOP Main Event history. However, despite the attention that's kept Michelle's phone ringing nearly 24 hours a day for the last 10 days, she doesn't appear to be letting the 17th place, $334,534 finish go to her head. "I have never minded talking on the phone, but I feel like I just want to put it on vibrate and not answer for a very, very long time," said a hoarse Michelle from the home she is staying at in Las Vegas. "I get what I did was a big deal, but I also know I am going to need a few really good years to prove I am anywhere near the kind of female poker players I respect." Those women include Jennifer Harman, who gave her some greatly appreciated support after one particularly bad beat during the tournament, and Annie Duke, who Michelle says she gets plenty of her playing style from. "I've gotten a lot of [Duke's] teachings kind of by default after traveling with 'Hollywood' Dave Stann over the last year and a half," said Michelle. "Dave and her kind of exchanged secrets. Dave teaching her his blackjack secrets, and Annie teaching him her poker secrets. Lots of the stuff that she's relayed to him has kind of come down to me. She is so smart. She has such a brilliant mind when it comes to poker. When it comes to her and Jennifer, I just really respect their games." Facts are facts, however, and these ones say only three women have ever gone further in the WSOP Main Event than Michelle did this year. Duke finished 10th in 2000, Susie Isaacs finished in 10th in 1998 and Barbara Enright finished fifth in 1996. Enright was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame along with Phil Hellmuth in 2007. Duke and Isaacs are probably headed that direction, and Michelle might just have the characteristics and game to get there one day herself. In all the excitement of such a deep run at the WSOP, all the backroom business dealings, the contract offers, the media coverage, the phone calls and party plans, Michelle kept her cool. She kept her mind on the game and fought her way into the second-to-last day third in chips. However, after wading through more than 6,800 players, after six full days at the tables with some of the best poker players in the world, Michelle was beat before she took her seat among the last 27 players remaining. #img: tiffany-michelle_23350.jpg: left: The grueling game of the Main Event.# "I was exhausted from all the business stuff going into Day 7," said Michelle. "With all that's going on, it's hard to keep playing the game you've been playing all along. After that, I got into some pots I shouldn't have gotten into, didn't have to be in." Eventually, after taking a couple of significant hits, Michelle found herself in a big pot holding A-J. When an ace came on the flop she pushed in all her chips. Unfortunately for her, not to mention for the ESPN final-table ratings in November, Peter Eastman was holding pocket aces. Just like that, one of the most compelling stories in the 2008 WSOP was sent to the rail. Although she busted just a few good hands from the final table, Michelle doesn't sound at all disappointed. In fact, she sounds like she won the whole damn thing. And you know what? She just may have. Nobody, not even the eventual WSOP Main Event winner, is likely to fetch more interest in the poker, not to mention acting, world than Michelle. "I am going to announce that I'm signing with a poker site as a player within the next week," said Michelle. "That means I am going to get to play more poker, which is something I've always wanted the opportunity to do. "On an acting front, there is already such a buzz in Hollywood. I have three auditions when I get home. I have a feeling it is really going to be advantageous for both Tiffany as a poker player and Tiffany as an actress. There are just a lot of opportunities right now." But that doesn't mean Michelle will be dropping one career for the other any time soon. "In a perfect world, I would really like to back up what I've just done [in the WSOP] with some good results. If I could be on the poker tour and do a TV show or something at the same time, that would be incredible," Michelle said. "Fortunately, now I don't have to pick one. I can just continue to go back and forth." It might surprise some people to hear that Michelle has always felt like she belonged among the players on the biggest stages in poker. Not just as an interviewer, but with her elbows on the felt, her eyes reading opponents across the table. "It just feels like it's a role I am born to play," said Michelle. "I feel like for the last three or four years, I've seen myself at the table and I've known I was supposed to be there. I've walked on to the ESPN stage and thought, 'Man, one of those seats belongs to me.'" According to Michelle, her career as an actress really paved the way to her success on the felt. "There are so many parallels between acting and poker and how they have morphed into this one beast that has allowed me to ride this rush and come to where I am," said Michelle. "I think it's a big advantage to be an actress. With all the media attention in poker, there are certain players and personalities that don't know how to handle that. When the ESPN cameras come around I see so many players make moves for the camera. And they completely lose their game. It's really amazing how badly some people handle it. As an actress, I'm just like 'Whatever. It's a camera. Who even cares?' It's just such a comfortable scenario for me." She continued, "Also, as an actress, when I play a role I have to put myself in other people's shoes and take on their characteristics. It helps because I can kind of zone in on somebody and say 'OK, why and what is that they are doing?' It's very beneficial for reading people and picking up tells. At the same time, if I want to talk somebody into a bluff I can be a little showboat and be whatever character I want somebody to believe I am in order to send whatever information I want to send. As a whole I think it's very beneficial." After all was said and done and Michelle finally busted out of the tournament, she exited the Amazon Room quietly. Then she lay down on the carpet in one of the hotel's grand hallways and laughed for a very long time. Something tells us it's a laugh we'll be hearing again very soon.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 17, 2008 6:36 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Actually, it's Tiffany Michelle's career. It's in the process of blowing up. Big-time. Michelle is best known as the bombshell reporter for Poker News. She's also an aspiring actress, who has guest-starred in television shows like ER and made appearances in movies such as Semi-Pro. Now, after being bought into the world's biggest poker event by pros Tony G and Jeff Lisandro, this poker babe is among the most successful female players in WSOP Main Event history. However, despite the attention that's kept Michelle's phone ringing nearly 24 hours a day for the last 10 days, she doesn't appear to be letting the 17th place, $334,534 finish go to her head. "I have never minded talking on the phone, but I feel like I just want to put it on vibrate and not answer for a very, very long time," said a hoarse Michelle from the home she is staying at in Las Vegas. "I get what I did was a big deal, but I also know I am going to need a few really good years to prove I am anywhere near the kind of female poker players I respect." Those women include Jennifer Harman, who gave her some greatly appreciated support after one particularly bad beat during the tournament, and Annie Duke, who Michelle says she gets plenty of her playing style from. "I've gotten a lot of [Duke's] teachings kind of by default after traveling with 'Hollywood' Dave Stann over the last year and a half," said Michelle. "Dave and her kind of exchanged secrets. Dave teaching her his blackjack secrets, and Annie teaching him her poker secrets. Lots of the stuff that she's relayed to him has kind of come down to me. She is so smart. She has such a brilliant mind when it comes to poker. When it comes to her and Jennifer, I just really respect their games." Facts are facts, however, and these ones say only three women have ever gone further in the WSOP Main Event than Michelle did this year. Duke finished 10th in 2000, Susie Isaacs finished in 10th in 1998 and Barbara Enright finished fifth in 1996. Enright was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame along with Phil Hellmuth in 2007. Duke and Isaacs are probably headed that direction, and Michelle might just have the characteristics and game to get there one day herself. In all the excitement of such a deep run at the WSOP, all the backroom business dealings, the contract offers, the media coverage, the phone calls and party plans, Michelle kept her cool. She kept her mind on the game and fought her way into the second-to-last day third in chips. However, after wading through more than 6,800 players, after six full days at the tables with some of the best poker players in the world, Michelle was beat before she took her seat among the last 27 players remaining. #img: tiffany-michelle_23350.jpg: left: The grueling game of the Main Event.# "I was exhausted from all the business stuff going into Day 7," said Michelle. "With all that's going on, it's hard to keep playing the game you've been playing all along. After that, I got into some pots I shouldn't have gotten into, didn't have to be in." Eventually, after taking a couple of significant hits, Michelle found herself in a big pot holding A-J. When an ace came on the flop she pushed in all her chips. Unfortunately for her, not to mention for the ESPN final-table ratings in November, Peter Eastman was holding pocket aces. Just like that, one of the most compelling stories in the 2008 WSOP was sent to the rail. Although she busted just a few good hands from the final table, Michelle doesn't sound at all disappointed. In fact, she sounds like she won the whole damn thing. And you know what? She just may have. Nobody, not even the eventual WSOP Main Event winner, is likely to fetch more interest in the poker, not to mention acting, world than Michelle. "I am going to announce that I'm signing with a poker site as a player within the next week," said Michelle. "That means I am going to get to play more poker, which is something I've always wanted the opportunity to do. "On an acting front, there is already such a buzz in Hollywood. I have three auditions when I get home. I have a feeling it is really going to be advantageous for both Tiffany as a poker player and Tiffany as an actress. There are just a lot of opportunities right now." But that doesn't mean Michelle will be dropping one career for the other any time soon. "In a perfect world, I would really like to back up what I've just done [in the WSOP] with some good results. If I could be on the poker tour and do a TV show or something at the same time, that would be incredible," Michelle said. "Fortunately, now I don't have to pick one. I can just continue to go back and forth." It might surprise some people to hear that Michelle has always felt like she belonged among the players on the biggest stages in poker. Not just as an interviewer, but with her elbows on the felt, her eyes reading opponents across the table. "It just feels like it's a role I am born to play," said Michelle. "I feel like for the last three or four years, I've seen myself at the table and I've known I was supposed to be there. I've walked on to the ESPN stage and thought, 'Man, one of those seats belongs to me.'" According to Michelle, her career as an actress really paved the way to her success on the felt. "There are so many parallels between acting and poker and how they have morphed into this one beast that has allowed me to ride this rush and come to where I am," said Michelle. "I think it's a big advantage to be an actress. With all the media attention in poker, there are certain players and personalities that don't know how to handle that. When the ESPN cameras come around I see so many players make moves for the camera. And they completely lose their game. It's really amazing how badly some people handle it. As an actress, I'm just like 'Whatever. It's a camera. Who even cares?' It's just such a comfortable scenario for me." She continued, "Also, as an actress, when I play a role I have to put myself in other people's shoes and take on their characteristics. It helps because I can kind of zone in on somebody and say 'OK, why and what is that they are doing?' It's very beneficial for reading people and picking up tells. At the same time, if I want to talk somebody into a bluff I can be a little showboat and be whatever character I want somebody to believe I am in order to send whatever information I want to send. As a whole I think it's very beneficial." After all was said and done and Michelle finally busted out of the tournament, she exited the Amazon Room quietly. Then she lay down on the carpet in one of the hotel's grand hallways and laughed for a very long time. Something tells us it's a laugh we'll be hearing again very soon.Visit PokerListings.com
PokerListings.com – Jul 17, 2008 6:36 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Press Release: WSOP Europe Schedule Announced
The second annual World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com has solidified its ...
Poker Source Online – Jul 17, 2008 05:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
The second annual World Series of Poker Europe presented by Betfair.com has solidified its ...
Poker Source Online – Jul 17, 2008 05:00 AM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Bodog Poker First Site to Qualify Players for 2009 WSOP Main Event
Bodog Poker recently awarded the very first seats from any online poker site into the 2009 World Series of Poker main event. The seats were awarded to three players as a result of a promotion involving the site's Bodog Poker Mini Series final event. Those players were...
CardPlayer.com – Jul 16, 2008 11:46 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker
Bodog Poker recently awarded the very first seats from any online poker site into the 2009 World Series of Poker main event. The seats were awarded to three players as a result of a promotion involving the site's Bodog Poker Mini Series final event. Those players were...
CardPlayer.com – Jul 16, 2008 11:46 PM [GMT] ¦ comment?
found in Sports: Poker