1,204 PLAYERS REMAIN AS WE ENTER DAY 4 OF WSOP MAIN EVENT

Official Report
No-Limit Hold’em World Championship
July 5th to November 9th, 2010

DAY'S HEADLINES

2010 World Series of Poker Main Event Championship Continues

James Carroll (Henderson, NV) is the Chip Leader at End of Day Three

Poker Great Johnny Chan Still on Leaderboard

Defending Champion Joe Cada Hits the Rail

2,557 Players Begin Day Three – Only 1,204 Survive

Monday’s Survivors Return on Tuesday, July 13th for Day Four

Out of 7,319 Total Starters – 1,204 Dreams Remain Alive (16.5 Percent)

Israel, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and United States Represented in Top Ten

Note:  For the tournament portal page for this event, including the day’s chip counts, click HERE.

DAILY DIARY
 
The 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event continued on Monday with the play and conclusion of Day Three.  This session included the first full day of combined flights of players who survived past the initial multi-day rounds of competition.

Day Three began with 2,557 players.  After four levels of play lasting eight hours, only 1,204 players survived.  This marked the first day that all surviving players competed together at the Rio. The remaining players will return Tuesday for Day Four

The end of Day Three chip leader is James Carroll from Henderson, NV.  He has 803,000 in chips, which leads all players at this point in the championship.  Carroll cashed two times at this year’s WSOP – including a final table appearance in the $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event which paid $103,594.  Carroll also final tabled this year’s WSOP Circuit Main Event championship, which was played at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in April.

Also of note were the fine performances of Imari Love, from Chicago, IL who finished the day with 741,500 in chips.  Gerasimos Deres, from Helsingborg, Sweden is a close third, with 733,700 in his stack.  Filippo Candio (Cagliari, Italy) and Max Casal (Burbank, CA) round out the top five.

So far, it appears the one big name that may have a major impact on the tournament is none other than 1987/1988 world champion Johnny Chan.  The ten-time gold bracelet winner is currently ranked ninth in chips.  An interesting side note was that Chan had the chip lead for about a 30-minute stretch during the day.  This was the first time in 22 years that Chan had the chip lead at any point during the Main Event.

Among those who did not fare as well on Day Three was Joe Cada.  The 2009 world champion was eliminated with about 1,800 players remaining.  But he could take no solace in a top-25 percent finish.  Cada went out holding ace-queen of spaces, which was cracked by pocket tens.  Cada lost the race and walked out of the 2010 WSOP without any cashes this year.  The WSOP congratulates Cada on a glorious win and a memorable reign as the world champion and wishes him well in the years to come.  

The Main Event continues through July 17th when the final table players will ultimately be determined, otherwise known as the “November Nine.”  

THE PLAYERS

Former world champions who participated on Day Three included:
 
1987/1988:  Johnny Chan
1993:  Jim Bechtel
1995:  Dan Harrington
1998:  Scotty Nguyen
2002:  Robert Varkonyi
2003:  Chris Moneymaker
2009:  Joe Cada

Jim Bechtel, who won the world championship in 1993, was the first former champ to be eliminated.  The rancher from Arizona lost his final hand holding pocket jacks, which were flattened by pocket aces.  The quiet champion went out with about 2,400 players remaining in the tournament.

The biggest news of the day among those who busted out was the elimination of Joe Cada.  The 2009 world champion went bust with about 1,800 players remaining in the tournament.  Cada could take no solace in his top-25 percent finish – which missed the money.  Cada went out holding the ace-queen of spaces, which was cracked by an opponent’s pocket tens.  Cada lost the race and walked out of the 2010 WSOP without any cashes this year.  The WSOP congratulates Cada on a glorious win last November and a memorable reign as the world champion and wishes him well in the years to come.  

Chris Moneymaker changed poker, arguably more than any player in history.  The 2003 world champion appeared headed to his best Main Event run since his victory.  But things did not go well for the Tennessean (now living in North Carolina) on this day.  Moneymaker was crippled with ace-king which ran into pocket kings, and then went out a short time later.

Dan Harrington continues to plod along.  He tangled a few times and ended the day with a slightly below average stack.  This is precisely what one might expect from “Action Dan,” known for his steady, low-risk approach to tournament poker.  Harrington, who won the 1995 world championship, has four WSOP Main Event final table appearances.

Scotty Nguyen was at the feature table but did not put on much of a show.  On the positive side, Nguyen did manage to survive and will continue playing on Day Four.  The negative is that Nguyen returns in the bottom ten percent of the field and will need to make a major move on Day Four to make the money.

Robert Varkonyi continues to make strides towards recapturing some of his past glory.  The 2002 world champion survived the day and comes back sitting in the middle of the pack with an average stack size.  Many eyes are now starting to focus on Varkonyi, who now ranks above every former champion except Johnny Chan.

The aptly-named “Orient Express” continues to roll along.  Back-to-back 1987 and 1988 world champion Johnny Chan flirted with the chip lead most of the day.  At about 3:00 pm, Chan held the chip lead for about a half hour, at the point when 2,000 players still remained alive.  Chan gambled a bit over the next few levels and see-sawed around the leaderboard.  He ended the day ranked ninth on the leaderboard, currently at 636,000 in chips.

Notable non-pros who played on Day Three included:

Jack Ury (senior record holder)
Gabe Kaplan (actor/comedian/announcer)
Hank Azaria (actor/producer)
Sully Erna (musician)

Jack Ury, from Terre Haute, IN had a desperately low stack to begin play and was eliminated on this day.  Nevertheless, Ury can take great pride in outlasting nearly 70 percent of the field, including many players who are young enough to be his great, great grandchildren.  Ury holds the record as the oldest player ever to compete in a WSOP event.  Everyone at the WSOP looks forward to seeing Mr. Ury back again next year.

Gabe Kaplan has been coming to the WSOP since the late 1970s, when he was one of television’s most popular stars on “Welcome Back Kotter.”  Over the years, Kaplan became quite a dedicated tournament player, earning nearly $500,000 at the WSOP in nine career cashes.  Kaplan played well, but not well enough to cash this year.  The WSOP welcomes Kaplan back every year and thanks him for his unwavering commitment to the game.

Sully Erna, musician and vocalist for Godsmack, has played at the WSOP in recent years.  He enjoyed another year with some bragging rights – outlasting three-quarters of the field.  Erna went out late in the day.

Hank Azaria, known for his character voices on “The Simpsons,” in addition to notable acting roles in several television shows and movies, remains very much alive in the Main Event.  He is in the middle of the pack with 151,100 in chips.

Poker Hall of Fame members who played on Day 2-B included:

Barbara Enright
Dewey Tomko
Johnny Chan

2007 Poker Hall of Fame inductee Barbara Enright was eliminated in the middle of Day Three.  Enright, a three-time gold bracelet winner remains on only female in history to make it to the Main Event final table, which she accomplished in 1995 – finishing fifth.

2008 Poker Hall of Fame inductee Dewey Tomko played and survived.  The Florida semi-pro finished as the runner up in the Main Event twice.  Tomko does not play many tournaments nowadays, but is proving he can still compete with the world's best.  Tonko returns on Day Four with 89,300 in chips.

Raymond Rahme, who finished third in the 2007 Main Event, was the first South African to make it to the final table.  Rahme appears headed that direction again this year.  The white-haired poker millionaire ended the day ranked in 152nd place.   

The only former WSOP Europe Main Event champion still alive is two-time gold bracelet winner Barry Shulman, from Las Vegas, NV.  The owner of Card Player continues to impress with this No-Limit Hold'em game, and now stands in 276th place, which if the top 25 percent of the field.  Shulman now has 257,400 in chips.  His son Jeff Shulman made it to the final table last year, finishing fifth.

The ESPN Main Stage hosts the feature table.  The star of Day Three was Scotty Nguyen, who basked the spotlight of another high profile session.  Good news was that Nguyen survived.  Bad news was the Nguyen did not have a good day.  "Oh babys" were few and far between on Day Three.

Four former champs remain alive.  Current Status of Former WSOP Main Event Champions:

1975/1976:  Doyle Brunson – Eliminated Day 2-B
1978:  Bobby “the Owl” Baldwin – Eliminated Day 2-A  
1983:  Tom McEvoy – Eliminated Day 2-A
1986:  Berry Johnston – Eliminated Day 2-A
1987/1988:  Johnny Chan – STILL ALIVE (ranks 9th of 1,204 players)
1989:  Phil Hellmuth – Eliminated Day 1-C
1993:  Jim Bechtel – Eliminated Day 3
1995:  Dan Harrington – STILL ALIVE (ranks 585th out of 1,204 players)
1996:  Huck Seed – Eliminated Day 1-C
1998:  Scotty Nguyen – STILL ALIVE (ranks 1,118th out of 1,204 players)
2000:  Chris “Jesus” Ferguson – Eliminated Day 2-B
2001:  Carlos Mortensen – Eliminated Day 2-A
2002:  Robert Varkonyi – STILL ALIVE (ranks 555th out of 1,204 players)
2003:  Chris Moneymaker – Eliminated Day 3
2004:  Greg “Fossilman” Raymer – Eliminated Day 1-A
2005:  Joe Hachem – Eliminated Day 1-D
2006:  Jamie Gold – Eliminated Day 1-B
2007:  Jerry Yang – Eliminated Day 1-C   
2009:  Joe Cada – Eliminated Day 3

Current Status of Last Year’s November Nine:

Joe Cada – Eliminated Day 3
Darvin Moon – Eliminated Day 2-B
Antoine Saout – Eliminated Day 2-B
Eric Buchman – STILL ALIVE (ranks 306th ourt of 1,204 players)
Jeff Shulman – Eliminated Day 2-B
Steven Begleiter – Eliminated on Day 1-C
Phil Ivey – Eliminated Day 2-B
Kevin Schaffel – Eliminated Day 1-B
James Akenhead – Eliminated Day 2-A

Only one of last year’s November Nine remain alive in the Main Event.  Joe Cada was one of two players who started the day.  But Cada made an unwanted exit.  This means Eric Buchman is in the only 2009 finalist still playing in the Main Event.  All other former finalists were eliminated.
 
Current Status of former WSOP “Players of the Year”:

Daniel Negreanu – Eliminated Day 3
Allen Cunningham – STILL ALIVE (ranks 888th out of 1,204 players)
Jeff Madsen – Eliminated Day 1-C
Tom Schneider – Eliminated Day 2-B
Erick Lindgren – Eliminated Day 1-B
Jeffrey Lisandro – Eliminated Day 1-D

Daniel Negreanu was never able to get much traction and was eliminated before the dinner break.  Negreanu lost two tough hands early in the day and struggled to run his small stack back up to respectability.  But in the end, Negreanu was not able to make much of an impact and ended up exiting where there were about 1,500 players remaining in the tournament.

Allen Cunningham nursed a short stack much of the day on the third session.  But Cunningham is a master of survival and will be interesting to watch on Day Four, and perhaps beyond.

Current Status of Non-Poker Celebrities:

Ray Romano – Eliminated Day 1-A
Rene Angelil – Eliminated Day 3
Orel Hershiser – Eliminated Day 2-B
Shanna Moakler – Eliminated Day 1-C  
J-Kwon, a.k.a. Jay Kwon – Eliminated Day 1-C
Scott Ian – Eliminated Day 1-C
Anthony Rapp – Eliminated Day 1-C
Shane Warne – Eliminated Day 2-A
Emmitt Smith – Eliminated Day 1-D
Jason Alexander – Eliminated Day 2-B
Bruce Buffer – STILL ALIVE (ranks 353rd out of 1,204 players)
Gabe Kaplan – Eliminated Day 3
Sara Underwood – Eliminated Day 2-A
Shannon Elizabeth – Eliminated Day 2-B
Sully Erna – Eliminated Day 3
Hank Azaria – STILL ALIVE (ranks 587th out of 1,204 players)

Historical Footnote:  The highest Main Event finish (and cash) by a celebrity was actor and comedian Gabe Kaplan, who finished 13th in the 1991 championship.  The highest Main Event finish for a (non-poker) celebrity was actor Telly Savalas, who finished 21st in the 1992 championship.

2010 GOLD BRACELET WINNERS (STATUS)

There were 56 WSOP gold bracelet winners this year, coming into the Main Event.  Here are the players who were still alive at the start of Day Three and their current status:

Michael Mizrachi -- STILL ALIVE, but low on chips
Tex Brach -- Eliminated
Gavin Smith -- STILL ALIVE, but low on chips
Carter Phillips -- STILL ALIVE, and among chip leaders
Tomer Berda -- STILL ALIVE, and above average chips
Matt Keikoan -- STILL ALIVE, and among chip leaders
Praz Bansi -- STILL ALIVE, and above average chips
Frank Kassela -- STILL ALIVE, and above average chips
Simon Watt -- STILL ALIVE, and above average chips
Jason DeWitt -- STILL ALIVE, and above average chips
Chris Bell – Eliminated
Eric Buchman – STILL ALIVE, and above average chips

AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHNNY CHAN (AMONG CHIP LEADERS)

Johnny Chan is a living poker legend.  1987 world champion.  1988 world champion.  1989 Main Event runner up.  Winner of ten WSOP gold bracelets.  Immortalized in the poker movie, “Rounders.”  And now, the “Orient Express” is steamrolling towards what could be his best Main Event showing in years.  Come November, it remains to be seen if we’ll be hearing, “Taking a seat at the final table -- Here’s……..Johnny.”  Chan was interviewed during the Day Three dinner break.

Question:  How did things go today?
Chan:  Today started off really, really good.  But then, I had ace-king.  The flop came K-7-6.  I had the ace-king, but the other guy had pocket sevens and hit three sevens.  So, I lost 150,000 on the hand and that took me down a little more than 400,000.  So, I’m in pretty good shape.  

Question:  You were the chip leader for a time.
Chan:  That’s good.  I haven’t been ranked number one in this tournament in like 20 years.  So, it feels good to be number one again, even though that did not last.

Question:  Do you still enjoy the game?
Chan:  I love the game.  

Question:  Why do you still like it?  You’ve been doing this for 30 years.  You’ve done and seen just about everything this game can offer.
Chan:  Well, it takes care of my bills.  It means that I can support my family.  Let me put it this way:  The game sends four of my kids through college.  And aside from that, I just like the competition.  I like to win.

Question:  Everyone recognizes you as a great player.  But there is a new breed of poker player which is dominating the game right now.  And most of them are in their early 20s.  What do you think about that?
Chan:  When I was 22-years-old I played crazy.  I played really wild.  I used to make gutshot straight check-raises.  I used to bluff with nothing.  I see what some of these players are doing.  I understand that.  I’ve been there and done that.  So, it’s nothing new to me.   

Question:  What do you predict is going to happen over the next few days?
Chan:  The next couple of days?  Well, I’m sure I am around – that’s number one.  Number two is to say lucky.  Just don’t run into a cold deck.  If I stay away from the cold decks, I am going to be okay.  

Question:  Hypothetically, if you were somehow to be offered ninth place in this tournament right now, would you take it?  Imagine being guaranteed a seat in the November Nine, plus $881,823 for ninth place.  Is it is deal?
Chan:  (Laughing) Wow…….you know, I really enjoy winning more than anything.  I’m going to have to pass on the deal.  Let’s play it out and see what happens.

AN INTERVIEW WITH J.J. LIU (CURRENTLY SHORT-STACKED)

J.J. Liu (a.k.a. Joanne Liu) may not be a household name.  But she has won more than $2.2 million in live poker tournaments.  Liu is a mother of three who lives in Las Vegas.  She has enjoyed an impressive run at this year’s WSOP, with three cashes and two final table appearances.  She came in third in the $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold’em event and took seventh-place a week later in the $2,500 buy-in Six-Handed Limit Hold’em event.  Liu remains alive in the Main Event, but is clinging to faint hopes as she enters Day Four as one of the shortest stacks.  Liu was interviewed briefly at the conclusion of Day Three.

Question:  How did things go today?
Liu:  Not so well.  I started out with a lot of chips – around 200,000.  But it was a very frustrating day for me.  I ran card dead most of the day.  But I have hope.  I am still alive.  Never give up, that’s what I say.

Question:  You enjoyed a good WSOP this year.  What did you do differently this year than in year’s past?
Liu:   This year, I prepared myself better to play at the World Series of Poker.  I wanted to do good.  It is very important to prepare yourself mentally.  A few months ago, when I decided I wanted to play some WSOP events, I tried to prepare myself and block out all the time so I could really focus.  Focusing is very important.  This is such a great opportunity.  There is no where else other than the World Series of Poker when you have to give everything and be as ready as you can.

Question:  You had a bit of a surprise today.  In fact, during the middle of the tournament, you received a huge bouquet of flowers.  Tell us about that.
Liu:  It was a big surprise.  It was a friend who sent them to me.  It was meant to cheer me up and it really did.  I know a lot of people care about me and love me, so that was nice to have that happen.  I was really happy when I saw the flowers.

Question:  Every poker player dreams of what it’s like to win the WSOP Main Event.  What happens in your version of the dream?
Liu:  To win the WSOP Main Event is absolutely a dream come true.  It’s my goal.  It’s like having a dream come true.  It’s everybody’s dream who loves to play poker.

Question:  Okay, J.J.  Let’s pretend a genie comes to you right now.  You are short stacked.  But the genie offers you the chance to cash in the Main Event.  Right now, the genie offers you 747th place.  Would you take the deal?
Liu:  No.  I want to take my chances.  I will stay here and play.  I don’t want 700th place.  I want to play to win.

THE TOURNAMENT

All players began the tournament with 30,000 in chips.  The average stack size when play began was about 87,000.

Play was nine-handed.  This is expected to remain in effect until play reaches the final ten players, and then one player is eliminated – thus making the “November Nine.”

Day Three played four full levels.  Each level is two hours long.  Play ended at 11:00 pm.  There were three levels of play, followed by a 90-minute dinner break.  Players then returned for the nightcap to play one full level, and then the day ended.

The average stack size is currently about 182,000 in chips.

When players return for Day Four, blinds will be 1,200-2,400 with a 300 ante.  There is one hour remaining in Level 13.

Day Three began with 2,557 players.  There were 1,204 survivors.  This means about 47 percent of Day Three starters survived round three.

With this day now complete, there are 1,204 total players are still alive in the Main Event.  

Play is expected to reach the money on Day Four.  This promises to be one of the most exciting days of the tournament, as 747 players will be guaranteed a payout, while those who do not make the cut, will be forced to return home with memories and dreams, not to mention a lot of “what ifs,” but no cash.

Players who survived Day Three will return to continue their quest for the 2010 world poker championship on Tuesday, July 13th, at 12 noon.

THE LEADERBOARD

The chip lead changed at least nine times on this day.  This typically happens with lots of movement on Day Three, when a triple-digit stack size can either be reduced to dust, or may in fact double or triple up to half-a-million or more.  Among the players who held the chip lead at one point during the day were – Andrew Brown, Nicholas Rainey, Alexander Kostritsyn, Kevin Gates, Paul Kristofferson Ricardo Fasanaro, Jeffrey Ross, Chris Tipper, and James Carroll.  

This end of day chip leader is James Carroll, from Henderson, NV.  He has 803,000 in chips, which leads all players at this point in the championship.  Carroll cashed two times at this year’s WSOP – including a final table appearance in the $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event which paid $103,594.  Carroll also final tabled this year’s WSOP Circuit Main Event championship, which was played at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in April.

This chip leader from the previous day was David Assouline, from Hampstead, Quebec (Canada).  He fell to 187th place, but still remains in the top 20 percent of the field.  

Ranking second in chips from this day is Imari Love, from Chicago, IL who finished the day with 741,500 in chips.  Gerasimos Deres, from Helsingborg, Sweden is a close third, with 733,700 in his stack.  Flippo Candio (Cagliari, Italy) and Max Casal (Burbank, CA) round out the top five.
 
No player has yet crossed the million-chip mark.

Only one of 1,204 players still alive in excess of 800,000 in chips.

Only four of 1,204 players still alive have in excess of 700,000 in chips.

Only ten of 1,204 players atill alive have in excess of 600,000 in chips.

Only 27 of 1,204 players still alive have in excess of 500,000 in chips.

Here is how the chip leaders from each day (of this year’s Main Event) have fared, thus far:

1-A:  Corwin Cole, from Las Vegas, NV – STILL ALIVE, in 376th place
1-B:  James Danielson, from LaPlata, MD – STILL ALIVE, in 311th place
1-C:  Mathieu Sauriol, from Laval, Quebec (Canada) – STILL ALIVE, in 274th place
1-D:  Steve Billirakis, from Bourbonnais, IL – STILL ALIVE, in 184th place
2-A:  Boulos Estafanous, from Darien, IL – STILL ALIVE -- in 41st place
2-B:  David Assouline from Hampstead, Quebec (Canada) – STILL ALIVE, in 187th place
3:  James Carroll, from Henderson, NV – STILL ALIVE, in 1st place

THE NATIONS

There are 92 nations and territories represented among all players who entered this year’s WSOP Main Event. (The entire 2010 WSOP attracted participants from 117 different locales).

This year’s Main Event is comprised of 67.9 percent Americans.  In other words, 32.1 percent of all participants are from other nations and territories.

The top-ten nations by participation in the Main Event are:

United States – 4,973 players
Canada – 482
Great Britain – 292
France – 176
Germany – 176
Australia – 110
Sweden – 99
Russia – 89
Italy – 81
Netherlands – 78

The remaining participant nations include:

Brazil -- 56
Ireland -- 55
Spain -- 53
Denmark -- 52
Canada    -- 42
Norway    -- 41
Finland    -- 39
Switzerland -- 37
Hungary -- 30
England -- 29
Argentina -- 27
Mexico -- 27
Portugal -- 26
Austria -- 25
Belgium -- 23
Israel -- 19
Japan -- 18
Romania -- 11
Poland -- 10
Venezuela -- 10
Lithuania -- 9
South Africa -- 9
Czech Republic -- 8
Lebanon -- 8
Guatemala -- 7
New Zealand -- 6
Slovakia -- 6
Ukraine    -- 6
Belarus    -- 5
China -- 5
Costa Rica -- 5
Cyprus -- 5
Greece    -- 5
Hong Kong -- 5
Kazakhstan -- 5
Latvia -- 5
Singapore -- 5
Slovenia -- 5
Chile -- 4
U.A.E. -- 3
Bolivia -- 3
Estonia    -- 3
Croatia    -- 3
Turkey -- 3
Uruguay -- 3
Bahrain    -- 2
Belize -- 2
Colombia -- 2
Gibraltar -- 2
Guadeloupe -- 2
Iceland    -- 2
South Korea -- 2
Peru -- 2
Philippines -- 2
Serbia -- 2
Angola -- 1
Azerbaijan -- 1
Bosnia -- 1
Benin -- 1
Bermuda -- 1
Bahamas -- 1
Botswana -- 1
Dominican Republic -- 1
Gabon -- 1
Guam -- 1
Honduras -- 1
Haiti -- 1
India -- 1
Cayman Islands -- 1
Liechtenstein -- 1
Monaco     -- 1
Macedonia -- 1
Mongolia -- 1
Northern Mariana Islands -- 1
Malta -- 1
Oman -- 1
Panama -- 1
French Polynesia -- 1
Paraguay -- 1
Qatar -- 1
Senegal -- 1
Turks and Caicos Islands -- 1
Taiwan -- 1

THE DAYS

Players are currently 457 spots from the money.
 
In 2009, at the conclusion of Day Three, the eventual champion Joe Cada was ranked in 100th place, which was in the top ten percent.

In 2009, at the conclusion of Day Three, only one of the top-ten ranked players made it to the final table (James Akenhead was ranked 6th).

In 2008, Peter Eastgate was ranked in 386th place, which was in the middle of the pack.

In 2008, none of the top-ten ranked players at the conclusion of Day 3 made it to the final table.

In 2007, at the conclusion of Day 3, the eventual champion Jerry Yang was ranked in 46th place.

In 2007, at the conclusion of Day 3, five of the nine players who made it to the final table were ranked in top 20 (Alex Kravchenko, Hevad Khan, Tuan Lam, Lee Watkinson, and Raymond Rahme).

In 2006, at the conclusion of Day 3, the eventual champion Jamie Gold was ranked in 35th place.

In 2006, none of the top ten ranked players at the conclusion of Day 3 made it to the final table.

Based on WSOP figures during the mega-era (2006 to present when the Main Event went to a 10+ day format), the previous results of Day 3 chip leaders ended up as follows:

2009 – Bertrand Grospellier (London, UK) finished in 122nd place
2008 – Brain Schaedlich (Cleveland, OH) finished in 456th place
2007 – Dag Martin Mikkelsen (Stavanger, Norway) finished in 42nd place
2005 – Jon Lane (Oshkosh, WI) finished in 200th place

ODDS AND ENDS

Based on the birthdates of all 7,319 players, the average age of all participants in the Main Event is 37 years and 4 months.  

Jim Boyd, from Martinsburg, WV has been around the game of poker for more than 30 years.  In fact, he started coming to the WSOP during the 1970s.  If anyone should know the rules of the game and proper etiquette, it is big barrel-chested good-old-boy “Jimmy” Boyd.  Thing is, sometimes even the savvy veterans get caught up in the excitement of playing the WSOP and make a mistake.  At one point during Day Three, Boyd pawed some chips from the pot, apparently making change for himself when he called a bet.  This is not allowed.  Dealers are always required to make change, rather than the player.  When Boyd was called out for his actions, a floorman came over and instructed Boyd not to make his own change.  Boyd threw his hands up in the air and tried to explain, saying, “I was just……just……”  Realizing how ridiculous this all sounded, Boyd swallowed his pride and snapped, “They busted me.  I should have known better, and they busted me.”

The Mizrachi Brothers are rapidly becoming to poker what the Kennedy’s were once to politics, or the Mannings are to pro football.  Michael “the Grinder” Mizrachi won his first gold bracelet early this year when he triumphed in the Poker Players Championship.  He joined his brother Robert Mizrachi as a bracelet holder.  Meanwhile, Eric Mizrachi and Daniel Mizrachi are also making strides in the Main Event.  In fact, all four Mizrachi brothers were still alive in this tournament at the start of Day Three.  Although no official records exist on corroborating brothers either entering or surviving deep in the tournament, this is most certainly a WSOP first.  When Day Three ended, all four Mizrachi Brothers were still alive in the tournament.  In fact, none of the four were short-stacked.  This is emerging as one of the biggest stories of the Main Event.

Another set of brothers who remain alive are Matt Keikoan and Todd Keikoan.  Matt won his second gold bracelet earlier this year.

Vulture Cams?  That’s the new term used to describe ESPN’s wandering television cameras, which wander around the tournament room, anticipating the next dramatic moment or bust-out hand.  The term was first used by Doyle Brunson, no less – a perpetual target of the “vultures.”  Indeed, when the cameras start swirling around a table, one often sees a big name pro all-in and holding his/her breath to remain alive.

The WSOP attracts everyone, even our good friends from other poker tours.  This year, the Main Event attracted:  Steve Lipscomb (founder of the WPT), Matt Savage (WPT Tournament Director), Mike Sexton (WPT announcer), Vince Van Patton (WPT announcer), Sarne Lightman (President of LAPT), John Duthie (President of EPT), Todd Anderson (President of Heartland Poker Tour), and Thomas Kremser (EPT Tournament Director).

This is the 57th and final event on the 2010 WSOP schedule which is played in Las Vegas.  Five more gold bracelet events will take place in London, England at the Empire Casino, to be held in September 14 through 28th as part of the Fourth Annual World Series of Poker Europe.    

This marks the sixth consecutive year the WSOP has been held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.  Prior to 2005, the WSOP was held at Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas.  As a testament to the expansion of the WSOP since Harrah’s Entertainment assumed ownership and control of the world most prestigious poker event, more than three quarters of the $1.2 billion in prize money has been awarded to winners within the Rio – three times the amount awarded during the entire 35-year period at the Horseshoe.

This is the 885th gold bracelet event in World Series of Poker history.  Note:  This figure includes every official WSOP event played, including tournaments during the early years when there were no actual gold bracelets awarded.  It also includes the 11 gold bracelets awarded to date at WSOP Europe.

In the 41-year history of the WSOP, the total combined amount of prize money that has been awarded amounts to $1,228,375,121.

The total number of entrants in the WSOP Main Event (all years combined) is 50,756.

The WSOP title sponsor the last two years has been Jack Link’s Beef Jerky.  As part of a fun promotion, Jack Links gives away large quantities of their product to Main Event players who make big hands.  This year’s key hand is four jacks.  48 players made the hand during the first seven sessions.

WOMEN IN THE MAIN EVENT

Special Note:  The WSOP recognizes that player characteristics such as gender, race, etc. do not typically warrant special mention.  However, since many members of the media wish to know details about female participation and status, the staff is providing this information for media use.

There are estimated to be 14 females remaining in the Main Event.  Note:  This is an estimate based on a late day head count of those still remaining in the tournament, and may not be reliable.

The unofficial total number of females who participated in this year’s Main Event was 216.  There is no official record since entrants are not designated by their gender.  However, it has been customary to count every player at the start of Day One and take an unofficial head-count of female players.  This figure represents about 3 percent of the field.

Here are the highest-female finishers (by year) in the WSOP Main Event (Note:  Only players who finished in-the-money were recorded):

No female cashed in the Main Event between the years 1970-1985.

1986 – Wendeen Eolis (25th)
1987 – None
1988 – None
1989 – None
1990 – None
1991 – None
1992 – None
1993 – Marsha Waggoner (19th)
1994 – Barbara Samuelson (10th)
1995 – Barbara Enright (5th)
1996 – Lucy Rokach (26th)
1997 – Marsha Waggoner (12th)
1998 – Susie Isaacs (10th)
1999 – None
2000 – Annie Duke (10th)
2001 – None
2002 – None
2003 – Annie Duke (47th)
2004 – Rose Richie (98th)
2005 – Tiffany Williamson (15th)
2006 – Sabyl Cohen-Landrum (56th)
2007 – Maria Ho (38th)
2008 – Tiffany Michelle (17th)
2009 – Leo Margets, a.k.a. Leonor Margets (27th)  

WSOP MAIN EVENT ALL-TIME RECORDS

Most Main Event Wins (Career):

3 – Johnny Moss (*first win was by vote)
3 – Stu Ungar
2 – Doyle Brunson
2 – Johnny Chan

Most Main Event Cashes (Career):

10 – Berry Johnston
7 – Bobby Baldwin
7 – Humberto Brenes
7 – Doyle Brunson
7 – Jay Heimowitz
7 – Phil Hellmuth
7 – Mike Sexton
6 – John Bonetti
6 – Johnny Moss
6 – Jason Lester
6 – Steve Lott
5 – 14 players tied with 5 cashes each

Most Main Event Final Tables (Career):

5 – Doyle Brunson
5 – Jesse Alto
4 – Johnny Chan
4 – T.J. Cloutier
4 – Dan Harrington
4 – Berry Johnston
4 – Johnny Moss
4 – Stu Ungar
3 – 6 players tied with 3 final tables each

Youngest Winner

Joe Cada (2009) -- 21 years, 11 months, 22 days

Oldest Winner

Johnny Moss (1974) – 66 years, 11 months, 24 days

Oldest Participant

97 years -- Jack Ury (2010)

Most Consecutive Years Played:

37 – Howard “Tahoe” Andrew (1974 to present)

Most Main Events Played (Career)

38 – Doyle Brunson (did not play 1999 through 2001)

Most Consecutive Years to Cash (Main Event)

4 – Theodore Park (2005 – 2008)
4 – Bo Sehlstedt (2004 – 2007)
4 – Robert Turner (1991 – 1994)

2010 WSOP STATISTICS (INCLUDING MAIN EVENT)

Tournament attendance is up significantly from last year when there were 60,875 entries (then, a record).  This year, there were 72,966 total entries -- an increase of 20 percent.  Hence, this is the biggest WSOP of all time, measured by total participation.  

Prize money increased from 2008, when the total money awarded was a record $180,774,427.  This year, the total amount of prize money awarded was $187,109,850 – an increase of 3.5 percent.

This year, there were 57 gold bracelet events – which is the same number as last year.

Through the conclusion of Event #56, the nationalities of gold bracelet winners have been:

United States (38)
Great Britain (5)
Canada (5)
Hungary (2)
New Zealand (1)
France (1)
Russia (1)
Norway (1)
Holland (1)
Israel (1)

Through the conclusion of Event #56, the national origin (birthplace) of winners has been:

United States (31)
Great Britain (5)
Canada (5)
Vietnam (2)
China (2)
Hungary (2)
New Zealand (1)
France (1)
Lebanon (1)
Russia (1)
Mexico (1)
Bangladesh (1)
Norway (1)
Holland (1)
Israel (1)

Through the conclusion of Event #56, the breakdown of professional poker players to semi-pros and amateurs who won gold bracelets is as follows:

Professional Players (39): Michael Chow, Michael Mizrachi, Praz Bansi, Josh Tieman, Peter Gelencser, James Dempsey, Men “the Master” Nguyen, Matt Matros, Yan R. Chen, Steve Gee, Carter Phillips, Jason DeWitt; Eric Buchman, David Baker, Richard Ashby, Dutch Boyd, Sammy Farha, David Warga, Will Haydon, Matt Keikoan, Mike Ellis, Luis Velador, Ayaz Mahmood, Phil Ivey, Luigi Kwaysser, Scott Montgomery, Steven Kelly, Steve Jelinek, Dean Hamrick, Ian Gordon, Gavin Smith, Jesse Rockowitz, Chris Bell, Shawn Busse, Sigurd Eskeland, Chance Kornuth, Ryan Welch, Brendan Taylor, Daniel Alaei

Semi-Pros (8): Frank Kassela, Tex Barch, Miguel Proulx, Jeffrey Papola, Frank Kassela, Mike Linn, Dan Kelly, Tomer Berda

Amateurs (9): Duc Pham, Aadam Daya, Pascal LeFrancois, Simon Watt, Vanessa Hellebuyck, Jeff Tebben, Konstantin Puchkov, Harold Angle, Marcel Vonk

Through the conclusion of Event #56, here is the list of repeat WSOP gold bracelet winners:

Praz Bansi
Men “the Master” Nguyen
Russ “Dutch” Boyd
Sammy Farha
David Warga (* his first WSOP win was in a non-open event)
Matt Keikoan
Luis Velador
Phil Ivey
Frank Kassela (two wins this year)
Daniel Alaei

Through the conclusion of 2010 World Series of Poker -- Event #56:

Youngest Winner – Steven Kelly (21), Dan Kelly (21)
Oldest Winner – Harold Angle (78)
Female Winners (open events) – None
Multiple-Event Winners (this year) – Frank Kassela