WSOP MAIN EVENT: DAY 1A - Interactive

[hlmsdog]

p.s. Why only one update an hour guys?  Logistics or rules ?

[LeKnave]

p.s. Why only one update an hour guys?  Logistics or rules ?

Robbery obv...pokernews.com robbed them, as they clearly know blonde updates pwn.

Happy b'day Jen. X

[JacArama]

A terrible start when I returned from the break.

I started with 22,500 and 40 mins in, I  had  & raised the 200 big blind to 700. 2 calls. (both blinds)

The flop was 

Check, check, - I bet 1500 - 1 call

Turn was 

He bet 2500, I raised to 7000

call.

River was 

He moved all in for 11,000. I eventually folded leaving me with 13,000. He showed me  .

Then I built my stack to 32,000.

I was about to leave with 2 mins of the session to go, but I was the big blind.

3 limpers & I had  . I didn't want to get involved on the last hand, so I checked.

Flop .

I bet 800 - 1 caller.

Turn 

I bet 1000, he raised to 2000 - I called.

River 

I checked, he bet 6000

I eventually called, & he showed 

Down to 23,500 ugh!!!!

[Djinn]

Joe Beevers is up to around 40k, helped considerably by this odd hand, which started with his calling a raise to 800 on the button with , along with two others.  On a 6-8-J two-diamond flop he found in front of him a bet of 1,600, a raise to 3,200 and a call, and jumped on the bandwagon, flat calling too.  The turn brought an Ace, and a second diamond, and a series of checks to him prompted Mr. Beevers to bet 10 whole k, winning that pretty decent pot for him.

He's also come up with a few figures for player numbers (I think it was a good bet to underestimate the number of total runners in the Main Event this year) - it looks like around 5,000 are registered currently, with the fourth added-on start day being the lowest stocked so far.  There is speculation that players are waiting until the last possible minute, in order to get in on the final day, but I can't imagine there will be thousands even with the (still ongoing) megasatellites.

The neighbouring seat to Mel Judah, pictured earlier as supporting Ian Woodley, now has the distinctive hair of Alex Jacob floating above it - I am inclined to fear the worst considering that table balancing doesn't happen so much as players get filled in as the tables break every few minutes.  Interestingly, the break order of the tables was announced as having been posted up for all to see any time - so you know in advance if you're likely to be bounced around like a pinball.

Mike Sexton  28,200
Jeff Madsen  6,400

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I guess seeing that Keith alluded to it, I might as well start with Eli Elezra who has indeed been eliminated. In fact, I was the only one who obtained this information, and kindly passed it on to the Pokernews team to retell. It was kinda amusing, he approached me in a seemingly innocent way as if to 'socialise', but I could tell he was after the hand details like a blood thirsty wolf. Of course, being the giving chap I am, I told him that Eli ran T-6 into A-T into an A-T-6 board, which is absolutely true,  but I never told him that Dave was the assassin - lost in translation I guess, but unlike Bill Murray and his Japanese friends, we were actually speaking the same language.

Speaking of Dave, here are his, and the other DTDers current chip counts:

Dave Colclough -- 19,000
Michael Greco -- 23,500
Richard Ashby -- 24,000

In other news, Jac Arama has 24k, Andy Black 34k, and Peter Gould 35k. The latter of those was part of the reason why we're no longer in the presence of Ian Wooldey, the Cockney rogue conceding most of his chips to the chipped up Gould when he made a move with just a pair of Fives. Pretty tough to make a set of Sevens fold. His stack near demolished, Woodley then ran A-Q into Kings and was doggy dinner. Nevertheless, we kept it in the county with fellow Brit Gould left smiling, although it's hard not to smile when you're wearing a shirt like that. Actually, I think he's dressed down today.

A table back, there's a swarm of cameras watching Johnny Chan, who is accompanied by Corey Zeitman (who I believe appeared momentarily on High Stakes Poker) and Raymond Davis, who ran close to finalling the recent WPT Final. While Corey and Raymond have 34,500 and 14,500 respectively, Chan is severely struggling with 5,500. For someone so rich though, you'd think he'd bin the Chav hat.

There were a few interesting announcements, the first rising more than just a rye smile from the Rio cardroom, the announcer informing everyone that the first Royal Flush of the day would receive, and wait for it, this is big... a 40 minute massage. Wooooo! Party time. Who needs 12 million! "Second prize was an 80 minute massage," added a tongue in cheek Joe Beevers, although I think he was assuming Barry Neville was offering his services.

The other announcement was regarding a slightly more serious matter, media coordinator Nolan Dalla proudly announcing the winner of the recent charity event, Brendan Moran, I believe his name was, and that he had kindly donated every single penny (or cent, rather) of it to charity. Fair enough, I hear you say, but what if you'd just won 200k like Brendan did? Would you hand over the lot? Fair dos if he's not a billionaire.

Back to the poker though, and Welshman Iwan Jones has been watching too much of Julian Thew, yoyo-in up and down as if loop the looping on the New York New York rollercoaster. At one point, his stack had near halved after losing 3 of Aces, Queens, Tens and Eights, the bullets possibly losing him the most after running into a flopped set of Sixes and paying off a smallish River bet. But fear not, as Buzz has been flapping those wings like mad and zoomed up to 23k via, in his own words, "the second nuts (queen high flush) which was paid off by A-K". To infinity (or maybe 30k for the moment) and beyond!

Meanwhile, other do-gooders include Julian Gardner (43k), Andy Black (34k) and Teddy Sheringham (23k), all content with their current progress. A player that the rail wants to do well (well, when I say rail, I mean just Dean Sanders) is Nik Persaud, who Sanders has a certain investment in. "Can you find out how many chips Nik's got, mate?" asks Sanders. "Why, you nipping?" "No, trying to get my nip back more like (referring to Monte Carlo where Dean cashed)."

Finally, I managed to catch yet another hand between two recognisable faces (yes, two in one day, I'm as amazed as you!), Annand 'Victor' Ramdin faced with a 2k bet from Thang Nguyen on a board, eventually folding and saying "I had a pair, I thought he might have a missed flush draw, or maybe a set of fours. Perhaps he hit a ten." Hmm, really decisive there, but I doubt he cares, he still has 45k.

Back soon!

[Djinn]

p.s. Why only one update an hour guys?  Logistics or rules ?

Firm rules.  We signed up for badges, though, and we're over here now, so comply we will.  Apologies if it looks like your questions are going unanswered - they're just being stored...

[jt23lfc]

Any news on Conor Tate??

Thanks for the updates

[sofa----king]

cant belive martyn cavanaghs not there heheheh.,.,x

[The Camel]

Limiting you to one update an hour is just petty, ridiculous and risible.

I hope blonde will be boycotting Harrah's in the future.

[tryerboy]

hi j wish i was there

[snoopy1239]

Poker might be the topic of the day, but I, and many of you I’m sure, will agree, that the really subject matter on such an illustrious occasion is the norkage. So, with this in mind, off I trotted (or should that be trut?) to the exhibition room where all the tottie seem to lurk. Unfortunately, on entering, I was met with a disappointing combination of gimmicky stalls and hordes of men, the girls nowhere to be seen. At that point, it suddenly dawned on me that the lack of eye candy was due to the Bill they passed on online gaming, the resulting factor being no models fronting online cardrooms at the World Series. If ever there was a reason why the passing of that bill was a crime, then this is it, and I feel I should start a petition pronto.

Back to the world of big sweaty greasy animals, the break rekindled a fatigued crowd, the players returning revitalised and raring to go. Andy Black in particular has come back firing on all cylinders, one hand I joined being a 4k pot with Black, utg+1, up against the button. Not 100% sure how it went pre-flop, but I can only assume that Black raised, MB re-raised, and Black called.

Anyhow, both players checked the , until the Turn where Black’s 2k raise was re-raised to 6k. Black smooth called and checked again on the River, Mateyboy, one of the few this year donning the big tent of a Pokerstars’ hockey jersey, opting to bet out 8k after a long dwell. In contrast, the Irishman called instantly, flipping over a flush ( ) and scooping in the pot. Black now up to 52.5k.

While an Irishman’s stack increases, a New Zealander’s decreases, so much in fact that James Honeybone is out. Encountering a pissed off giant in the corridor, James retold his tale of woe: “Can’t believe it, would you call a raise with 8-7? I had K-Q and made it 1,400, only for him to call an extra 10k and then hit an 8-K-8 Flop. He bet, I moved all-in and that was it. Complete joke.” Ah well, another heart broken, just a few thousand more to go.

Meanwhile, I spotted Corey Zeitman involved in a hand, not necessary a fascinating confrontation, but one that did help me learn a bit more about his character. He’d raised pre-flop, checked-called the Flop and check-folded the Turn of a nine high board, but what was most interesting was the speech play performed, knowing full well that he’d be folding. “Have you got Jacks,” asks Corey at the Turn. “Can you guys help me out here and let me know how he’s been playing. I’ve got A-K” “Will you show if I fold,? the chatterbox continues, to which the response is: “If you call the Turn and then my bet on the River, I promise I’ll show.” Got to admire the wit of that reply, top work!

Finally, Luke Patten, who has been a ghost on the UK circuit this year, is making an appearance on Day 1, although down to 14k here after reluctantyl (even shook his head as he shoved his chips in) calling a 2k bet on the River of an and being shown A-J. Oh well, he can always lean over a nab Barry Greenstein's book if he requires assistance.

________________________________________________________

I discovered some more Brits hiding in the middle of the room (even when the field is half its starting size this still happens, like finding another orange smartie when you thought they were all gone) –

Luke Patten  15,500
Rick Wildman  9,200
Des Fitzpatrick  11,300  (back from the Venetian where he finished 21st – his halved stack isn’t due to blinding out or playing maniacally – he got KK vs. AA the second hand after he returned, and feels fairly fortunate to have only lost what he did).

Also Myles Phago (pictured in the red Poker Verdict shirt), who just now had the clock called on him as he faced an 8k all-in from the unknown woman pictured below.  The pot was around that size, and the board stood:  .  A full hands-behind-head, sighing think, a count-out, and an eventual pass – I think I saw something which may have been a spade – flush draw?

I estimate Andy's stack to be 42k, which railer Paul Parker assures me would make him happy at the end of Day One (he’s playing day 1C, I believe).

*aside*  One stand which has made it out of the Expo and right outside the entrance to the tournament area (which now has a big queue of people waiting to be spectators filling it) is for Pokerwater – the new healthy alternative to filling yourself with mildly medicinal tasting caffeine which always ends with an energy slump.  The people launching this product (for which they’ve chosen the unexpected image of a donkey holding a pair of Aces) seem very enthusiastic, so hold your breath for the arrival of said vibrant pink drink (with Goji, a superfood from Tibet) in the UK soon.

OUT are Marcel Luske and, it looks like, the Devilfish (pictured pretending to look at his watch).
Michael Greco  26,500
Mickey Wernick  22,500
Barry Greenstein  43,000

Blinds are currently 200/400.

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Hello, Floppy here, I'm making the tag for Jen, so she can get some sleep in time to play tomorrow. Here's the last time I was involved in a tag team successfully



Jen is already preparing. Look she even has her own POKER WATER! (With 36 Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals!)

[vinni]

many thx to dave colclough ill be serenading tomorrow

[Vinnebin]

Happy B-day Jen! Cocktails in Barcelone'll be on me

[Djinn]

As the players went onto to the dinner break, I blasted into Speedy Gonzales mode to grab the following chip counts before the inevitable onslaught of poker rhinos raced out for their half time meal:

Jan Boubli – 14k
Andy Black – 59k
Ben Johnson – 24k
Iwan Jones – 30k
Raymond Davis – 43k
Mark Teltscher – 22.5k
Michael Mizrachi – 22.5k
Peter Willers Jepsen – 28k
Joe Tehan – 28.5k
Joe Awada – 49k
Richard Rudling-Smith – 20k
Marty Smyth – 13.5k
Mike Sexton – 28.5k
Tobey Maguire – 11k
Mohammed Hassan – 34.5k
Willie Tann – 8k
Henning Granstad – 30.5k
Michael Greco – 31k
Alex Jacob – 9k
Julian Gardner – 70.5k
Mickey Wernick – 33.5k
Annand Ramdin – 42.5k
Katherine Hartree – 19k
Blair Rodman – 42.5k
Barry Greenstein – 46k

Amidst those chippy counts, you’ll notice a slight increase in the stack of Dusk Till Dawn’s Michael Greco; he hasn’t played too many big hands, but the one he did win saw his A-Q hit a Queen high flop, Mateyboy calling his bets right up to the River.

It’s not all good news though for DTD, Dave Colclough missing and presumed lost. I subsequently asked big chipper Abe Mosseri if his blonde haired neighbour had departed, and he unfortunately confirmed the worst.

Joining El Blondie in the showers (crikey, this will be a horrific image) is Thomas Dunwoodie – he was eliminated by former bracelet winner Joe Awada who is now Billy Big Balls with just under 50k. The hand in question was a testicle crunching set over set affair which saw the Geordie playing the side games in double quick time.

In more dust biting news, we’re a celebrity down in Steve ‘The Nugget’ Davis, his Tens all-in pre-flop ran into Aces saw his miscue and left to head off to the rail after a ‘no bloomin ten’ board.

Good to see Richard Rudling-Smith taking this tournament by storm, his 20,325 showing that he’s really been climbing like a trooper. But whilst my tongue in cheek comment will surely earn me a slap later on, 20,325 is still highly acceptable considering (1) the huge amount of players that we’ve already lost and (2) the lack of hands Rudders has been receiving, his only recent holding being Tens which Rivered a full house. Don’t ask him about those Kings and the Ace high Flop though…

Finally, a post wouldn’t be complete without some Mateyboy squared action, so how about a taste of Mateyboy cubed?! The three-way pot was already 50k+ with a wibbly wobbly board, but it needed more, so in steps Mateygirl with a 30k more, just to bump it up some more. One guy folded, but another called, pretty quickly too, only to be shown . Mateyboy and his was sent packing sharpish as the young lady scooped the monster pot.

Before I grab a Pepsi, please do check out the rare find pictured below – an inverted double stacker. Unbelievable.

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Pictured:

Luke Patten demonstrating the patented (no pun intended) Hellmuth Freeze
Hellmuth demonstrating it (NOT playing today)
Michael Greco
Conor 'Sealey' Tate

[Djinn]

Happy B-day Jen! Cocktails in Barcelone'll be on me

YAY!

[snoopy1239]

Just to confirm, the players are currently on their dinner break and will return at around 9pm.

Please feel free to make requests if we have forgotten someone.