2005 WSOP + Ghosts of Poker Past
A few more photos have been added to the 2005 World Series of Poker Photo gallery.
The time grows short before the crowds take their place at the Rio's Pavilion. The work crews continue to set up tables and lights, big screens closed circuit TV, sound systems, registration booths, all the things needed to guarantee a smooth and successful run for the historic 2005 World Series of Poker. The spacious, modern facilities at the Rio Resort are in stark contrast to the aging Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas. Having spent a number of years covering the WSOP at the Horseshoe and remembering trying to crowd more people into Benny's Bullpin than would fit; I, for one, am looking forward to this year's uptown tournament. Of course, I'll miss many of the things that were downtown traditional to the World Series of Poker; but I won't miss the lousy lighting that made good photos an impossibility. 
I won't miss the crowded corridors that were impossible to navigate, nor will I miss that peculiar odor that had permeated the Horseshoe the last few years. I will miss knowing about the best parking spaces, the shortcut into the coffee shop, secret passageways, lower levels and even the ghosts that are always just out of sight in the old place.
Would the late Benny Binion approve of his WSOP moving to bigger and better digs on the upper end of the Vegas Strip? Probably not, but the WSOP isn't his anymore. Benny would have moved it to a better place, and that place would have been the Horseshoe. He always maintained his downtown property with a spit and polish attitude and continued to make the Horseshoe better without doing damage to it's soul. Whatever it took to get the gamblers into his joint and make them comfortable was his special knack. Benny had a genuine affection for poker players and the World Series of Poker was his gift to everyone that plays the game. Did Benny foresee the WSOP becoming the monster of today? 
Probably not, in fact, no one predicted the tremendous growth of the industry until it was already well under way. So, how would he have handled the multitudes coming to be a part of poker history when the 2005 WSOP begins Thursday? The same way he always did. He would make sure you were treated with respect, got a fair shake and was as comfortable as possible. I think they should modify the stature of Benny, the one of him on his horse. They should show him holding a WSOP gold bracelet in one hand and a stack of food comps in the other. That's how I remember the founder of the WSOP, bigger than life, and I do miss that memory.
Speaking of food comps, I hear rumors there will be no food comps, player buffets or any dining accommodations for the 2005 WSOP participants. 
I am assuming the 'suits' made a bottom line decision that continuing the Binion tradition of feeding gamblers wasn't cost effective. Apparently the bean counters (pun intended) couldn't work out an acceptable ROI on the food.
Least I forget, the final twenty-seven players in the $10K main event will return to the downtown Horseshoe for one last time. I'm sure the ghost of poker past will be out in force to see how this one plays out. Benny, Moss, Ungar, Strass, Roberts and a few others will be there playing in their own exclusive poker game and making side bets on the outcome of the live game.
The World Series of Poker is three days away if you count the Casino Employee No-Limit Hold'em on Thursday as event #1 (the WSOP says it's event #1). The first WSOP event open to everyone and the first to be filmed by ESPN for national television broadcast will begin on Friday, June 3rd, at high noon in the Pavilion at the Rio Resort. Friday's event #2 will be a $1,500 buy-in No limit Hold'em affair that signals the official start of the 2005 World Series of Poker. Saturday will see another $1,500 Hold'em tournament, only this time it is Pot Limit. The final table of the Friday No-Limit event will begin at 2:00 pm and continue until we have our first 2005 WSOP bracelet winner.
The final table will be played the following day beginning at 2:00 pm and continuing until someone leaves with a coveted WSOP gold championship bracelet. Interested in playing in the televised events or just want to know which WSOP tournaments will be filmed and when they will be broadcast then visit the 
Today, the corridors outside the Pavilion were empty of people; but, I felt a sense of anticipation of the many thousands of players, fans, media, dealers and tournament officials that will be filling the space come Friday.
To start off this week in review check out Double A's latest strategy offerings in his articles 
Those lucky enough to be staying so close to the WSOP action will find the Rio a comfortable, full service hotel. A great in-room menu, high speed internet, plenty of work space and laundry/cleaning service.
The 
First out was Blair Rodman receiving $25,000 for sixth place. The next victim was Chris Tsiprailidis leaving the final table in the fifth spot and collecting $30,000. The play continued until David Levi and 'Captain' Tom went heads up. The flop showed Q,Q,Q and 'Captain' Tom goes all-in for his remaining $80K and change. David Levi looks around and announces, "Seat open," before calling and turning up his Q,J for quad Queens. The Captain tosses his cards face down into the muck and leaves the game in fourth place taking $45,000.
Finally, David ran out of miracles and was eliminated in the third spot receiving $60,000. The $100,000 second place money goes home with Randy Jensen.
The new host for the 
The first tournament of the World Poker Tour Season IV has a winner. 
Gavin also takes home, in addition to the $25K seat, a cool $1,128,278 in cash. Second place finisher, Ted Forrest, had to settle for the second place money amounting to $579,386.
The surviving six players that will be seated at tomorrow's television table follows, the list is ordered by descending chip count with seat assignment shown in ().
Usually this would be one away from the bubble; but Richard Tatalovich and Phil Laak split the 27th place money when both were eliminated by Jean-Robert Bellande on the same hand. Richard had pocket Kings and Phil had pocket Aces, both made a set but Jean-Robert caught runner, runner to make a straight with his suited 8,10. Tatalovich and Laak each received $9,148. The next bubble was for today's final table and David Kutcher was the boy going out in 10th. He received $36,594 in prize money. 
The WPT final table action begins tomorrow, Thursday at 4:00 pm in the convention area of the Mirage. Seating for the television audience is limited and on a first come basis so be there early. Big screens and seating are set up in the waiting area outside the television production set.
The turn was a Queen giving Phil a set and Eric needing a 10 for a winning straight; but, it wasn't to be, the river was a deuce and Phil scooped another hugh pot while Eric headed for the door.
Sitting in second with $318,600 is Canadian Gavin Smith, a previous Poker Showdown winner. 
The short stack of the day is Billy Duarte with $33,200. Some of the known players and their chip counts include David Slansky $65,000, David Levi $69,400, "Captain" Tom Franklin $137,100, Ted Forrest $159,600, Jean "Prince" Gaspard $180,100 and Toto Leonadis $258,200.
The first day of the 
Continuing thru the first day carnage we find more casualities...Mike Matusow, Michael "The Grinder" Mazrachi, Scotty Nguyen, Tuan Le, Chip Reese and WSOP Champion Carlos Mortensen. Those keeping track of the golden boy of poker, Daniel Negreanu; he left early in the afternoon after coming out on the short end of a heads-up with Action Bob, Jean Robert Bellande. Those keeping track of the latest foot-in-mouth player, Antonio Esfandiari; he was eliminated late in the day.
First place will see the making of another WPT millionaire with the winner receiving $1,128,278 and a $25,500 seat in the WPT Season IV Championship at the Bellagio. Second place goes home with $579,386, third gets $289,693, fourth $182,964, fifth $137,223 and sixth takes $106,729. The six players making the final TV table will be playing for a combined $2,424,273 in prize money.
The $3,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament ended early this afternoon when final table chip leader, Terry Fleischer of Las Vegas, lost most of his chips in two hands to the eventual winner, Francois Safieddine of Denver, Colorado. Francois doubled through Terry when he put Francois all-in and his pair of fives finished second. Suddenly, Francois had twice as many chips. A few hands later an almost identical situation between the two and again, Francois doubled up. The overwhelming chip lead allowed Francois to play an aggressive game that made short work of the opponents. The final table was completed in less than two hours. Francois received $222,900 plus a $10,200 seat in the WPT championship. Second place money, $111,450, was taken by Mike Appel of Boston, Massachusetts.
A $530 buy-in Super-Satellite got started at 5:00 pm this afternoon. Single table satellites are a continuous process with one going off as soon as enough players sign up to fill a table. Buy-ins for the SNG's range from $175 up to $1100 and today most offered a seat in tomorrow's Super Satellite or the higher dollar ones giving a seat in the WPT Championship. Cecilia Mortensen was playing and winning, having downed the other nine to win her SNG and then she immediately sat down in another satellite. The Mirage is the center of full time poker action, and will remain so right up to the start of the Championship event on Monday.
The WPT television table with bright lights, hair and make-up girls to make you look better than you ever have and cards out of your dreams. Just knowing that millions are watching your every move and tomorrow you may be one of the recognized golden players of tournament poker makes it all worthwhile. Fans crowding around just to get a look at you and pleading for an autograph. Then, the really big one, your photo hanging in the Poker Hall of Fame along side all of those legends of the game. Possible? Of course, much better than the lottery; but certainly a crap shoot. You have to win a hell of a lot of all-ins. It's guaranteed that someone will win and maybe it will be you. If you can't dream it, then you probably can't do it.
The final scheduled event #12 of the 
Saturday will be a Super Satellite day for the WPT Championship. A $1,500 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament will award as many $10,000 seats in Monday's WPT Championship event as sign ups allow. The WPT tournament will run over the course of four days with the final table being filmed for later broadcast on the World Poker Tour Series on the 
This is the last major poker tournament before the start of the 2005 World Series of Poker on June 3, 2005. The WSOP will be held, for the first time, out of downtown Las Vegas just off the top of the Vegas Strip at the Rio Resort. The facilities are top drawer, the biggest and best the WSOP has ever seen. The crowds of players and fans are expected to fill the 60K plus square footage of the Rio's Pavilion. The Rio is already running satellites for the big show. Our crew will be on site every minute of the tournament providing news, interviews, photos and behind the scenes details of poker's biggest happening. Speaking of photos, we have added more pics to the 
The $2,500 + $100 buy-in No Limit Texas Hold'em event #11 of the 
Today's final table for the $2,500 Hold'em event was a poker star studded affair with the level of play reflected in the "A" games these guys bring to the table. The competition is so fierce that the difference between the door and the champion's trophy is often entirely in the hands of the poker deities. The single turn of a card sends the unlucky home and the lucky to the bank. Professional Amir Vahedi came into the table with the short stack and was soon eliminated when he didn't hit any of his outs after going all-in. He was quickly followed by Richard Klein, the next short stack. This group plays tough and for keeps. Make one mistake and you've found the short way home.
A couple of hours later he was followed by Carl Frommer taking fourth and $10,825 back home to Los Angeles. Chip leader for most of the day, Chris Bjorin of the UK, went out in the third spot and received $13,531. Heads up play was between well known pro Mel Judah and newcomer Mike Manttan of Sidney, Australia. The heads up didn't last very long before Mel had Mike all-in, then all-out. Mel is the 2005 Mirage Poker Showdown Pot Limit Omaha Champion. Mel was almost eliminated from the final table before even making one of the money slots. He was down to a buck and a half; then, he started his comeback. He methodically built his stack back into a competitive mass, then played a premium hand waiting game. The strategy, combined with some bad luck falling on Chris Bjorin, catapulted Mel into the lead and the tough playing pro parlayed it into the win.
The final table will be played on Saturday. In addition to Saturday's final table a Super-Satellite for seats in the WPT Championship will also be offered. The buy-in is $1,500 + $70 and the satellite will finish the same day, awarding as many seats as the number of entrants make possible. Another identical Super-Satellite will held be on Sunday. Single table satellites are offered whenever there are enough players to seat a table. Buy-ins for the single tables range from $60 to $1,500. 
The $2,500 + $80 buy-in No Limit Hold'em event scheduled at the 
A second important decision Chip made concerning his career as a professional poker player was to leave the cash games behind and limit his play to tournaments, exclusively. He typically plays between two and three hundred tournaments a year and has enjoyed success and fame. He is a reconized figure from his play on televised tournaments. He turned pro in 2000 and when he was nineteen he bought his first home, paying cash from his poker winnings. 
Max is certainly due to get a breakthrough major win. He has the talent and game knowledge to win one of the televised tournaments. It's just a matter of time before we see the colorful character from Milan, Italy raising his glass in victory, tri-color and all.
Plenty of final table action today, Tuesday May 17, 2005. The biggest would be the $50,000 buy-in, winner take all at the 
The first final table at the Mirage Poker Showdown today was the completion of the $2,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament that began on Monday. The event was won by Gavin Smith of Canada. He played heads up with Carlos Mortensen of Las Vegas and finally called Carlos' all-in to win the event. Carlos suffered some bad breaks late yesterday and had given back most of his overwhelming chip lead before today's final table; but then, in typical Carlos fashion he made another remarkable comeback to finish in the second spot. Darel Dicken of Iowa took third. Gavin takes $145,680 in first place money plus a $10,200 seat in the WPT Championship event scheduled for May 23, 24, 25 and 26. Well known pro and TV host, Chad Brown of Los Angeles, made the final table and went out in the seventh, David Tran of El Monte California left in eighth.
This was Paul's second event win of the 2005 Mirage Poker Showdown. He won the $1,500 buy-in Omaha 8 or better event which paid him $52,962. The Limit Hold'em event today enriched Paul by another $32,960 and as an added bonus he now has a matching set of the crystal trophies. Kevin Hong claimed second place and received $20,612 and third place money, $12,367, went to Peter Davidson. The event collected a prize pool of $82,450 and paid five places. Richard Pilewicz took fourth and $9,894; while John Pires had to settle for the fifth place $6,597.
Carlos Mortensen won the 2001 World Series of Poker main event before his thirtieth birthday. He walked away with $1.5 million, the gold bracelet and a permanent place in poker history. Carlos has won two more WSOP bracelets since he became the world champion. He and his beautiful wife, Cecilia, lived in Spain when he won in 2001; but soon relocated to the poker center of the world, Las Vegas. The Mortensens travel the poker tournament circuit playing in many of the major poker tournaments throughout Europe, the US and the rest of the world. He can often be found sitting behind the largest chip stack at a tournament and today was no exception. The Mirage Poker Showdown held a $2,000 + $80 No Limit Hold'em event today, Monday May 16, 2005, with 193 paid entrants having a go at each other while swapping lies and bad beat stories. One of the 193 was Carlos Mortensen and when the field got down to two tables one of the 20 survivors was Carlos Mortensen and Carlos had most of the chips.
Kenna James is one of the most approachable professional poker players out there. He always has time to share a table story, talk shop and visit. Kenna is a credit to the sport.
The final nine players are scheduled to return on Tuesday for the final table and conclusion of the event. The winner will receive, in addition to a large pile of money and a trophy, a $10,200 seat in the WPT Championship tournament to be played over four days beginning on Monday, May 23, 2005. 
A full day of tournament action at the 
Another final table was scheduled for play today. The nine surviving players from the $2,000 buy-in Limit Hold'em event that began Saturday with 101 entrants begin their champion's journey at 4:00 pm. The chip leader coming into today's table was Jae Cha of Los Angeles, California with $66,500 in play money. Second in the chip count was Marcel Luske of the Netherlands with $65,000, only $1,500 separating the two. The two chip leaders, Jae and Marcel, played heads-up after Jack Duncan of Newport, Washington was eliminated in third place. The poker God saw fit to smile on young Jae Cha during the heads-up play and didn't allow Marcel to take down anything other than a couple of blinds. No matter what hand Marcel held, Jae had one better. The final hand of the event sumed up the almost comical one-sided heads-up play when Marcel was dealt a suited A,Q and the flop came K,Q,10 giving him the second pair with an Ace kicker. The turn brought an Ace giving Marcel two pair and he moved all-in. Jae immediately called and yes, you guessed it, Jae held big-slick, giving him two bigger pair. Fifth street was a true hold'em river card, a red deuce, no help for either. Game, set, match! Jae Cha received $78,376 for his victory plus one of the Poker Showdown champion trophies. Marcel settled for second place money of $45,066 and Jack Duncan takes $23,512 back to LA for third place. Las Vegan David Levi went out fourth for $13,715. Complete tournament results are available at 
The top news this week is the 
The $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event that began on Friday May 15, 2005, played the final table today. The winner was Preston Oade of Denver, Colorado outlasting the 307 other entrants trying to take home the 
1. Jae Cha (7) $66,500
Single table satellites and super satellites are running daily in the poker room and tournament area. The satellites are a great economical opportunity to win a seat in a major Las Vegas poker tournament. Play your way into the action and not only will you have a shot at becoming an overnight poker sensation; but you may be the next lucky 
Las Vegas is celebrating its one hundredth birthday this year with a variety of events staged to remind us we've been "doing it our way" for a whole century. The weekend 
Poker has been a part of the history of Vegas, even preceding the infamous Bugsy so it is only fitting that poker plays an important role in the birthday celebration. The big poker centennial event we are awaiting is the final two days of the 
The International Heads-Up Championship ended today at the 
In the match for third place, Minh Li catches his cards to take third place and $61,110 for his win. Todd Brunson has to settle for fourth place and $40,700. Michael Mizrache walks away with the Championship plus a nice trophy and a $203,700 material enforcement of the championship bragging rights. Scotty Nguyen, 1998 WSOP World Champion, received $101,810 for second place. The poker world is taking notice of Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi. He played superb "A" game poker today to first defeat an ultra high limit player and then a former world champion. Even though he had some luck with the run of cards and a few suck-outs, Michael forged his way through a tough field of contenders. Tournament poker will see a lot of "The Grinder" in the future and he is guaranteed to only get better.
The two short stacks somehow manage to overtake Paul and make him the chip deficit player before he mounts a comeback, pulls ahead and sends Ama Kassab back home to El Cajon, California. Darden then used his large lead to eliminate Tony Frederick of Farmington Hills, Michingan and win the event. Darden receives $52,962 plus a champion trophy, Tony goes with $30,453 and Ama Kassab receives $15,888 for third.
Action at the 
Friday's tournament is a $1,500 + $70 but-in No Limit Hold'em affair set to begin at noon. The winner of the event will receive an added bonus of a $10,200 entry into the 
Poker players and fans alike are crowding the tables and the rails at the Mirage Poker Showdown. A perfect time to play in a great tournament or just come to watch your favorites do battle. The 
The 
The chip lead moved momentarily to Randy Jensen after Minneapolis Jim lost some while Randy won some. Tom Franklin moved up into the third spot in the count with solid play. WSOP champion Dan Harrington eliminated movie star, James Woods, when he called Woods' K,9 all-in bet with pocket Tens. Woods didn't get any help and was out. Ted Forrest moved into the chip lead with a dozen players left in the PPT. WSOP Champion, Dan Harrington, is eliminated by David Levi and Tom Franklin moves into the chip lead. Dewey Tomko leaves in the ninth spot after Forrest calls his big slick with pocker Kings. The final table is down to eight in the early hours of Thursday morning.
1. Ted Forrest (1)
The 
Lyle Berman, the originator and honcho of the WPT & PPT, remained in the action; while Carlos Mortensen, another WSOP world champion, adds to his growing piles of chips. Young Thomas "Thunder" Keller continues to exhibit his remarkable poker skills and the Poker King himself, Mr. Phil Hellmuth, is enjoying his iPod more than the poker game. Professionals Mel Judah, Young Phan, Ted Forrest, Huck Seed, Layne Flack and Minneapolis Jim Meehan are scattered about the tables in the tournament area.
Tomorrow's chip leader is Minneapolis Jim Meehan with just under a $100K in tournament chips. Marcel Luske and Layne Flack have close to $50K in chips while David Levi and Antonio Esfandiari are sitting comfortably with just under $40K. Thomas Keller and Jack McClelland have thirty something thousand in play money. 
The second event of the Mirage Poker Showdown, a $1,500 + $70 buy-in 7 Card Stud tournament, began today, Tuesday, and will play the final table on Wednesday. The third event of the Poker Showdown, $1,500 + $70 buy-in Pot Limit Omaha, starts on Wednesday at noon. Complete tournament results are available at 
The Mirage resort is hosting the Mirage Poker Showdown and the first event began today. A $1,000 + $60 buy-in No Limit Hold'em contest started at noon in the tournament area set-up next to the poker room. The event will play down to a final table today and return tomorrow for the finish. 
The WSOP is the "Mother" of all poker tournaments and with so much history, hype and tradition it makes all other tournaments pale in comparison. All of the professional players will be at the Rio for the forty-three days of the 2005 WSOP along with everyone else that has any interest in the game. The daily events will be bigger, better, and more exciting than anything the poker industry has ever seen. The Rio and the WSOP are going above and beyond to make the players, fans and media as comfortable as possible. There are poker tournaments that have bigger buy-ins than the $10,000 WSOP main event; but, even with the inflated buy-in they are a very distant second (maybe even third) in building a prize pool even close to what the 2005 WSOP main event will offer. It is almost unimaginable to think of six thousand or more poker players ponying up the $10,000 and taking their seats in this most historic poker event. It is especially difficult for someone like myself that remembers what a big deal it was when the WSOP main event finally attracted more than a hundred players wanting to risk $10K on a turn of a card. One blessed player will arrive at the end of the 2005 road and be rewarded with hundreds of pounds of hundred dollar bills plus the most coveted prize in all of Pokerdom, the WSOP World Championship Bracelet.
Planning to attend the 2005 WSOP? Better start making your plans and reservations now. Las Vegas has accommodations for even the largest crowds and events; so it's not a matter of getting shut out; but rather, a matter of being located conveniently close to the Rio. Las Vegas will be well into summer during the WSOP and the temperatures are guaranteed to be in the triple digits, so plan your stay with this in mind.
From the Bloggers: 
The 
The room opens into the casino so players have a good view of all the gaming action without the roar of the crowd. The games currently spread in the room are all hold'em, just like on TV. You can find $1-$3 and $2-$6 Limit Hold'em games running around the clock. A $40-$100 buy-in No Limit Hold'em game will appeal to even the most serious poker player. Evidence of the popularity of the Tropicana's poker room is no empty seats on weekends, every seat taken and players on the wait list ensure full games. The crowd is primarily made up of tourist with few locals in the games, a definite plus for anyone new to Vegas poker. The staff is friendly and accommodating with all skill levels of player welcome, from the "I've never played before" to the "I just won the WSOP."
And finally, continuing the Satellite Sam story, the most probable reason Satellite Sam left the Tropicana was a result of his own creativity. Riding on the crest of popularity from his satellite tournaments, Sam continued to find new and unorthodox ways to promote the poker room. Combining various competitive sporting events with a poker tournament was well received and kept the poker room full. You might find yourself bowling one day and playing poker the next or maybe trap shooting and poker or a marathon and poker. Sam finally found the perfect combination for Las Vegas when he combined a golf tournament with a poker tournament. Unfortunately, the only open dates were in August and anyone that has been in Las Vegas in August knows the outside temperatures can be so high you can use any of your irons to brand cattle. Apparently Sam's tournament kept the local paramedics busy treating heat stroke victims. Goodbye Sam.
I am very happy today is Friday and a little rest and relaxation is due before the Mirage Poker Showdown starts on Monday. Once this event gets under way it will be solid tournament action here in Las Vegas for months, including the 43 days of the 
Once inside the resort, my first impression was the "Bellagio in Technicolor." The layout is quickly learned and the place, despite its size, is easy to navigate. A well defined walkway circles the casino with passageways heading off to shopping, showrooms, high limit areas, restaurants and of course, poker. The Wynn's poker room is down a short concourse and can be easily seen when strolling around the periphery of the casino area. It is located across from the Ferrari/Maserati showroom. A few short steps from the poker room and you are in valet parking or a self-park garage. The layout designers remembered that poker players don't like to park very far away from the tables. The poker room has considerable frontage on the concourse and is separated from onlookers by a waist high rail. I like the layout and found the room to be inviting and comfortable. The player chairs are a quantum step above anything else I've seen, actually comfortable. The high limit area is a raised space in the back of the room where big limit players can have a bit of privacy, yet maintain a full view of what's happening inside and outside of the poker room. The room was doing a brisk business this afternoon when I was there, including a couple of high limit tables in action.
The mountain is quite magical in setting the mood and blocking the gaudy strip. Sitting on the veranda outside Parasols Up, by the lake with the silhouette of the trees on the ridgeline made me believe I was back in the mountains of my native New Mexico instead of a few meters from the Las Vegas Strip. Steve Wynn is certainly a master at creating an atmosphere of substance out of thin desert air.
The Wednesday night 
I especially enjoyed watching Daniel entertain and play his usual "A" game. The interaction between Daniel and former WSOP Champion, Scotty Nguyen was an insight into Daniel's card reading skills. I guess I have undervalued his abilities and now must rethink my opinions. The Poker Prof has always considered Daniel to be the pinnacle of Professional Poker Players. He has made Negreanu the odds on favorite to be there when they give away the 2005 WSOP platinum bracelet. I don't know if that will be the case but I am sure that having him at any final table is a guarantee of added points to the TV ratings. The guy is just a hell of a lot of fun to watch. Win or lose, Daniel will give you your money's worth of entertainment fueled by his sharp wit and uncanny card sense.
Even when he has been eliminated from the action, Chau is continually up-close watching and offering words of encouragement to the remaining players. I thought it was a nice touch when Chau asked young John how old he was and then told him he was about to become a twenty-three year old WPT champion.
The 
The Horseshoe had the most famous poker tournament, but didn't even have a poker room until the month of May, when half of the small casino was converted into the world's highest limit poker room. The overflow would fill all of the downtown casino's poker rooms with cash players. Walking through Binion's Horseshoe during the WSOP was a stroll through the poker Hall of Fame. Amarillo Slim working the crowd in his full quill, floor length Ostrich duster or Puggy Pearson wearing hats so outrageous they defied description. A gaggle of poker groupies standing out front of the Horseshoe on Fremont Street in 1983 trying to figure out this unknown Tom McEvoy and wondering what the hell a satellite tournament was. Who can forget seeing Benny Binion sitting in the coffee shop in his fur coat and western hat greeting friends, players and even having time for kids like me?
Playing in multiple games in a number of different rooms simultaneously can pack years of poker playing experience into a few months. It is not unusual to find players that are barely old enough to be in the casino and have never played in a live game; but have four years of high stakes poker experience. The players coming from the Internet bring another very valuable bit of game knowledge that many of the older live game players have not experienced until now, surviving very large tournament fields. Way back then the entrants for the $10,000 championship event would be under two hundred players. The 2005 WSOP championship will be more than five thousand, maybe even six thousand. The event will play for days before they are down to two hundred players. You have to know how to survive in these large groups of players or you will never make to the prize money, the final table or the championship bracelet.
I was glad that the crown jewel of tournament poker has found a new, clean, spacious home at the Rio's 60K plus square foot Pavilion. Thinking back to the end of the 2004 WSOP last year and how I felt a momentary sadness when Greg Raymer finally raised his arms in victory, knowing that a tradition had come to an end. I expected to feel the same way now; but instead, I am happy that a new tradition begins up the strip in much better surroundings.
The 
Felicia's presence is amazing considering her recent positive diagnosis for cancer. She had to undergo a major surgical procedure and is in early recovery. She is also receiving subsequent treatment to ensure the cancer is totally defeated. The Prof and I were there to provide support, encouragement and visit with her. Although Felicia's health has been a problem her poker game is as sharp as ever. She was at one end of the table with the four opposing male players at the other. The only difference I noted watching her play this time as compared to other tournaments was a medicine bottle within easy reach just in case. Felicia is one tough lady.
The Plaza World Poker Classic is basically a repeat of the old WSOP tournament format. Barrack gaming believes their tournament will provide downtown Las Vegas with a poker presence since the WSOP has moved uptown and is now scheduled for later in the year. It just feels right to be in downtown Vegas in May watching tournament poker The major difference between the old WSOP and Barrick Gaming's version is the addition of a $50,000 buy-in final event following the customary $10,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em championship. How many players out there will pony up the 50 big ones for a shot at a really big payday? How many will have enough confidence in their game to pay the fee and go for the gold?
First, a bit of self-promotion, I've managed to convince