STAYIN' ALIVE! DAY TWO ENDS, DAY THREE BEGINS THURSDAY

MAIN EVENT HEADLINES – DAY TWO

Stayin’ Alive! 1,865 Players Remain

2011 World Series of Poker Main Event Championship Continues!

Gold Bracelet Winner Ben Lamb is Overall Chip Leader

Day Two Ends, Day Three Set to Begin on Thursday

Reigning World Poker Champion Jonathan Duhamel Eliminated During Day Two

This Year’s World Poker Champion Set to Collect $8,771,956

85 Nations Represented in 2011 WSOP Main Event

A New Record:  2011 WSOP the Largest in History – with 75,672 Total Entries

A New Record:  2011 WSOP the Richest in History – with $191,999,010 in Total Prize Money

Las Vegas’ Last Gold Bracelet of 2011 at Stake – Seven Events Coming to WSOP Europe in October in Cannes
 
OVERVIEW

One word best describes the objective of almost every poker player who makes it to Day Two of the World Series of Poker Main Event Championship.  That word is -- survival.

Indeed, the goal is to survive.  Not to bust every player at the table.  Not to win every pot.  Not even to accumulate a massive number of chips.  No one wins poker’s world championship on Day Two.  But a significant number of players lose the chance to win the championship when they misplay the second day.

Day Two was divided into two fields – designated as Day 2-A (Monday) and Day 2-B Tuesday.

DAY 2-A

On Day 2-A, 822 players out of a returning field of 2,031 players met their objective.  They will continue what is unquestionably the greatest journey in all of poker.  By contrast, more than 1,200 players failed to survive.  For those who were eliminated and now ponder the disappointment of a long off-season, two words come to mind – next year.

An eclectic mix of poker players are already thinking about next year, even though they gave the 2011 WSOP their best shot.  One such player was NBA all-star Paul Pierce, who plays for the Boston Celtics.  Pierce participated in a number of WSOP events this year, including the Main Event.  He survived Day One, but was eliminated late on Day Two (Note:  A photo of Paul Pierce autographing a basketball for former "November Niner" Dennis Phillips appears attached to this story).

"I had a great time," Pierce said as he exited the tournament room to applause.  "I'll definitely be back next year."
 
Among the more notable developments from Day 2-A were:
 
Chip Leader (Day 2-A):  Aleksander Mozhnyakov (Himki, Russia) has 478,600 in chips.
 
Former Champions Eliminated:  Johnny Chan, Scotty Nguyen, Jonathan Duhamel, Dan Harrington
 
Former Champions Remaining:  Tom McEvoy, Joe Cada, Phil Hellmuth
 
Well-Known Players Eliminated:  Mark Vos, Matt Glantz, Foster Hays, Matt Hawrilenko, Tom McCormick, Marcel Luske, Filippo Candio, Vicky Coren, Lex Veldhuis, Wendeen Eolis, Bernard Lee, Andy Bloch, Barry Shulman, Yevjeniy Timoshenko, Marco Traniello, Gavin Smith, Soi Nguyen, Phil Gordon, Bill Gazes, Bill Chen, Jimmy Fricke, Allen Kessler, Sammy Farha, Dutch Boyd, Pat Pezzin (by no means complete).
 
Well-Known Players Remaining:  Doug Lee, Freddy Deeb, Alexandre Gomes, Donny Mizrachi, Phil Laak, Matt Matros, Kristy Gazes, David Bach, David Oppenheim, Joshua Tieman, Fred Berger, Shannon Shorr, Adam Junglen, Brad Garrett, Minh Ly, Mike Caro, Jason Mercier, Dan Shak, Jason Alexander, Daniel Negreanu, Annette Obrestad, Mickey Appleman, Ted Forrest, Lee Childs, Shaun Deeb, J.P. Kelly, Tex Barch, Ville Wahlbeck, Mel Judah, Vitaly Lunkin, (by no means complete).
 
There are seven former world champions still remaining in the Main Event entering Day Three.

A complete list of all remaining players and chips counts can be seen HERE.

Prior to the start of Day 2-A, the tournament began with a special moment.  Three very special people were introduced to the sea of players and spectators.  The three men had driven together to Las Vegas from their homes in Lafayette, IN.  The drive took 30 hours.  One of the men, a recreational poker player named Mike Buttice, won a seat into the WSOP Main Event at a satellite tournament held at the American Legion, Post 113, in Lebanon, IN. 
 
Prior to winning his seat, he had made a commitment to a friend named Michael Stevens that he would someday take him to Las Vegas.  Stevens, diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, is a strong-willed man and a dedicated poker player.  In a remarkable gesture that redefines both generosity and friendship, Buttice decided to give his WSOP seat to Stevens.  The friends were joined by another friend named Dave Hughes.  The three men arrived in Las Vegas just prior to the start of the Main Event.
 
Stevens took his seat on Day One, and with the (physical) assistance of his two friends, he survived and made it to the second day.  Then, just prior to the start of Day Two, the three friends were introduced to the crowd.  Their inspiring story was told to the audience, which was followed by a loud standing ovation.
 
After Stevens, Buttice, and Hughes were introduced, defending world champion Jonathan Duhamel greeted the large audience.  He was originally scheduled to perform the "Shuffle Up and Deal" announcement.  However, Duhamel was eager to share the spotlight with the three friends once he heard their story, although they were not acquainted.  Just prior to the shuffle announcement, Stevens spoke into the microphone and proposed a “last longer” bet with the world champ.  Duhamel jokingly declined.  All four players -- champions in their own right -- then gave the “Shuffle Up and Deal” pronouncement in unison.
 
As for the "what if" side bet -- Duhamel should be happy he did not accept the wager. Stevens survived the day and will play on Day Three.  Duhamel did not -- which means there will be a new world champion crowned in 2011. 

DAY 2-B

The second flight of Day Two was played on Tuesday.  There were 2,490 survivors that returned.  1,043 survived.  Among the more notable developments from Day 2-B was the following:
 
Chip Leader (Day 2-B):  Ben Lamb (Tulsa, OK) has 551,600 in chips.
 
Former Champions Eliminated:  Joe Hachem, Jamie Gold
 
Former Champions Remaining:  Robert Varkonyi, Carlos Mortensen, Huck Seed, Berry Johnston
 
Well-Known Players Eliminated:  Tony Dunst, Brock Parker, Shannon Elizabeth, Eugene Katchalov, Jeff Shulman, Roland de Wolfe, Ted Lawson, Barry Greenstein, Kenny Tran, Daniel Alaei, Phil Galfond, Mike Matusow, Alexandre Gomes, Kathy Liebert, Chau Giang, Phil Laak, Darvin Moon, David Sklansky, David “Devilfish” Ulliott, Paul Wasicka, Matt Jarvis, Mike Sexton, Grant Hinkle, Mike Carson, Erik Cajelais, Mark Gregorich, Brandon Adams, J.C. Tran (by no means complete).

Well-Known Players Remaining:  Ben Lamb, Patrik Antonius, Dan Kelly, Justin Bonomo, John Racener, Tony Hachem, Peter Gelencser, Jeff Madsen, Robert Cheung, Victor Ramdin, Erick Lindgren, Thomas “Thunder” Keller, Lyle Berman, Sam Stein, Minh Nguyen, Matt Matros, Scott Clements, Todd Brunson, Steve Danenmann, David Chiu, Jeffrey Lisandro, Allen Cunningham, Jake Cody (by no means complete).
 
On Thursday, all remaining players will combine into a single field and will continue their quest for the world championship.  
 
Hence, when tournament play commences on July 14th all remaining players will be inside the tournament arena together for the first time.  That will be designated as Day Three.  Once that happens, excitement will continue to build until what should be a thrilling crescendo when the nine finalists, known as the “November Nine” will be determined on July 19th.

Every meaningful journey begins with an initial first step.  But sometimes, the second step is even more difficult.  On what was known as Day Two, 4,521 poker players from all over the world took their second giant leap forward in pursuit of poker's ultimate prize -- a WSOP gold bracelet and immortality as the world champion. 
 
Special Note:  It should be noted that Wednesday, July 13th is an off-day at the 2011 WSOP.  All Main Event players will be granted a one-day recess.
 
The Main Event Championship will be televised by ESPN.  Live coverage will start July 14th.
 
For comprehensive updates of Event #58, please visit the WSOP.com tournament portal page HERE.

DAY TWO BEGINS

Every World Series of Poker always begins with four words which have become synonymous with the equivalent of poker opening kickoff or first pitch.  WSOP tournament directors and their designated guests traditionally say “Shuffle Up and Deal” just prior to the start of play.  The WSOP believes this is a rare honor granted to those individuals who have earned the right to stand on the main stage, before their peers, and represent the spirit of the WSOP.

Just prior to the start of Day 2-A, “Shuffle Up and Deal” honors went to reigning world champion Jonathan Duhamel, who was joined by Michael Stevens, Mike Buttice, and Dave Hughes.

Just prior to the start of Day 2-B, “Shuffle Up and Deal” honors went to the WSOP Dealer of the Year.  This year’s winner was Sara Abdich, originally from New Jersey and now living in Las Vegas.  She is a dealer at the M Casino.  Abdich has dealt every WSOP since 2007.  This year, the WSOP used the services of more than 1,000 of the world’s best poker dealers.  We wish to acknowledge the outstanding work and dedication of these outstanding professionals.

This is WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel’s sixth consecutive year to oversee tournament operations.  He has supervised more WSOP tournaments and awarded more prize money than any tournament official in poker history.

TOURNAMENT PLAY
 
Play on both Day Twos began at noon.  Play ended about 1:00 am.  There was a 90 minute dinner break.

Day Two (both flights combined) started with 4,521 entries and ended with 1,865 players.  This means only about 41 percent of starters survived the day.

At this point on the tournament, participants have played ten full levels of play.  That means 20 total tournament hours have been completed.

In 2010, at the conclusion of Day Two, the eventual champion Jonathan Duhamel ranked in 889th place.
In 2009, at the conclusion of Day Two, the eventual champion Joe Cada ranked in 99th place.
In 2008, at the conclusion of Day 2, the eventual champion Peter Eastgate ranked in 484th place.
In 2007, at the conclusion of Day 2, the eventual champion Jerry Yang ranked in 26th place.
In 2006, at the conclusion of Day 2, the eventual champion Jamie Gold ranked in 155th place.

2010 2-B – David Assouline finished in 44th place
2010 2-B – Boulus Estafanous finished in 733rd place
2009 2-A – Amir Lehavot finished in 226th place
2009 2-B – Peter DeBaene finished in 398th place
2008 2-A – Brian Schaedlich finished in 456th place
2008 2-B – Peter Biebel finished in 273rd place
2007 2-A – Jeff Banghart finished in 41st place
2007 2-B – Gus Hansen finished in 61st place
2006 2-A – Yuriy Kozinskiy did not cash
*NOTE:  2003-2005 started with 10,000 in chips.  2006-2008 started with 20,000 in chips.  2009 starts with 30,000 in chips.

Coming next, Day 2-A and Day 2-B survivors (from Monday and Tuesday’s sessions) will combine into one giant field who then return together for Day Three.  The next session is to be played Thursday, July 14th.  The restart will be at noon.  There are approximately 1,865 players remaining in the field.

The Main Event continues through July 19th when the final table players will ultimately be determined, otherwise known as the “November Nine.” 

Wednesday, July 13th is an off-day.  All tournament players are granted a one-day recess.

CHIP LEADERS
 
From the Day 2-A survivors, five of the top six chip leaders are from Europe.  Countries represented in the top six include – France (2 players in top four), Russia, Germany, and Italy.

Fred Berger, from Las Vegas, NV was the overall chip leader at the conclusion of Day One (209,000 in chips).  He ended Day 2-A ranked in 103rd place (204,500 in chips).

The first player in the tournament to reach the 300,000-chip mark was Aleksandr Mozhnyakov, which occurred right after the dinner break (9 pm) on Day Two.  A few hours later, he became the first player to reach 400,000 in chips.  He ended Day 2-A as chip leader, with 478,600 in chips.

Ben Lamb, very likely the player on the biggest roll at the moment at the WSOP, was the second player to cross the 400,000-chip mark, and the first to do so on Day 2-B.  That occurred at 10:30 pm.

Ben Lamb was also the first player to cross the 500,000-chip mark for the entire tournament.  This occurred with 30 minutes remaining on Day 2-B.

From the Day 2-B survivors, Ben Lamb (Tulsa, OK) is the chip leader.  He has 551,600 in chips.  Lamb is currently enjoying the run of a lifetime.  He won a gold bracelet this year, and posted 1st, 2nd, 8th, and 12th place finishes.  His 2011 WSOP earnings already total more than $1.3 million.  

In second place is Kevin Saul, who went on a monster run at the end of Day 2-B.  At press time, he is believed to be the only other player in the tournament other than Lamb with more than 500,000 in chips.

MAIN EVENT – BY COUNTRY

There were 105 different nations represented at the 2011 WSOP in all gold bracelet events.

There were 85 different nations represented in the Main Event Championship.

Based on the total number of entries, non-U.S. players made up 33 percent of the total field.  This is the largest percentage of internationally-based players in WSOP history.

If just the international contingent of participants were separated from the total field size, there would be an estimated 2,265 players.  The size of this group alone would constitute a larger field than any other live tournament ever held, outside the WSOP.

1 -- American Samoa
3 -- Andorra
21 -- Argentina
80 -- Australia
37 -- Austria
2 -- Azerbaijan
1 -- Bahamas
1 -- Bahrain
1 -- Barbados
25 -- Belgium
2 -- Belize
2 -- Bolivia
1 -- Botswana
83 -- Brazil
4 -- Bulgaria
486 -- Canada
7 -- Chile
10 -- China
9 -- Columbia
3 -- Costa Rica
1 -- Croatia
4 -- Cyprus
9 -- Czech Republic
46 -- Denmark
5 -- Estonia
21 -- Finland
213 -- France
1 -- French Polynesia
156 -- Germany
5 -- Greece
1 -- Guam
4 -- Guatemala
8 -- Hong Kong
24 -- Hungary
2 -- Iceland
2 -- India
1 -- Indonesia
35 -- Ireland
18 -- Israel
106 -- Italy
24 -- Japan
2 -- Kazakhstan
7 -- Latvia
4 -- Lebanon
8 -- Lithuania
2 -- Macedonia
1 -- Malaysia
2 -- Malta
1 -- Marshall Islands
12 -- Mexico
3 -- Monaco
1 -- Mongolia
1 -- Montserrat
1 -- Morocco
59 -- Netherlands
5 -- New Zealand
34 -- Norway
1 -- Oman
2 -- Panama
3 -- Peru
3 -- Philippines
1 -- Poland
18 -- Portugal
4 -- Romania
108 -- Russia
7 -- Saint Lucia
1 -- Saudi Arabia
1 -- Senegal
4 -- Singapore
6 -- Slovakia
17 -- South Africa
6 -- South Korea
42 -- Spain
79 -- Sweden
26 -- Switzerland
2 -- Taiwan
2 -- Trinidad and Tobago
4 -- Turkey
1 -- Turks and Caicos
1 -- Turks and Caicos Islands
3 -- Ukraine
288 -- United Kingdom
4,604 -- United States
3 -- Uruguay
20 – Venezuela

FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS

There are 35 different players who have won the WSOP Main Event Championship.  Of this number, 27 champions are alive.  Of the 27 eligible former world champions, 18 participated in this year’s Main Event.

There are seven former world champions still remaining in the Main Event.

1983:  Tom McEvoy – Playing on Day Three (143,500 in chips)
2009:  Joe Cada – Playing on Day Three (111,000 in chips)
1989:  Phil Hellmuth – Playing on Day Three (64,900 in chips)
1986:  Berry Johnston – Playing on Day Three (est. 72,000 in chips)
1996:  Huck Seed – Playing on Day Three (est. 70,000 in chips)
2001:  Carlos Mortensen – Playing on Day Three (est. 65,000 in chips)
2002:  Robert Varkonyi – Playing on Day Three (est. 100,000 in chips)
2006:  Jamie Gold – Eliminated on Day Two
2005:  Joe Hachem – Eliminated on Day Two
1978:  Bobby “the Owl” Baldwin – Eliminated on Day Two
2010:  Jonathan Duhamel – Eliminated on Day Two
1987/1988:  Johnny Chan – Eliminated on Day Two
1995:  Dan Harrington – Eliminated on Day Two
1998:  Scotty Nguyen -- Eliminated on Day Two
1975/1976:  Doyle Brunson – Eliminated on Day One
2003:  Chris Moneymaker – Eliminated on Day One
2007:  Jerry Yang – Eliminated on Day One  
2004:  Greg “Fossilman” Raymer – Eliminated on Day One

2003 – Chris Moneymaker, 60,475 in chips (ranked 11th)*
2004 – Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, 74,400 in chips (ranked 7th)
2005 – Joe Hachem, 67,350 in chips (not in top 25)
2006 – Jamie Gold, 100,125 in chips (ranked 23rd)
2007 – Jerry Yang, 99,700 in chips (not in top 25)
2008 – Peter Eastgate, 62,325 in chips (not in top 25)
2009 – Joe Cada, 187,225 in chips (ranked 1st)
2010 – Jonathan Duhamel, 53,200 in chips (not in top 25)
*NOTE:  2003-2005 players started with 10,000 in chips.  2006-2008 players started with 20,000 in chips.  2009-2010 players started with 30,000 in chips.


CELEBRITIES AND NOTABLE PLAYERS

The World Series of Poker has attracted celebrities and notable personalities since its inception.  This year is no exception.

Current Status of Poker Hall of Fame members:
Lyle Berman – Playing on Day Three (est. 170,000 in chips)
Berry Johnston – Playing on Day Three (est. 70,000 in chips)
Mike Sexton – Eliminated on Day Two
Bobby Baldwin – Eliminated on Day Two
Dewey Tomko – Eliminated on Day Two
Dan Harrington – Eliminated on Day Two
Doyle Brunson – Eliminated on Day One
T.J. Cloutier – Eliminated on Day One
Erik Seidel – Eliminated on Day One

Current Status of former WSOP “Players of the Year”:
2004 -- Daniel Negreanu – Playing on Day Three (114,100 in chips)
2005 -- Allen Cunningham – Playing on Day Three (100,000 in chips)
2008 -- Erick Lindgren – Playing on Day Three (170,000 in chips)
2009 -- Jeffrey Lisandro – Playing on Day Three (90,000 in chips)
2006 -- Jeff Madsen – Eliminated on Day Two
2010 -- Frank Kassela – Eliminated on Day One
2007 -- Tom Schneider – Eliminated on Day One

Jason Alexander (actor and comedian) – Playing on Day Three (167,000 in chips)
Brad Garrett (actor and comedian) – Playing on Day Three (46,000 in chips)
Shannon Elizabeth (actress) – Eliminated on Day Two
Petter Northug (Two-time Olympic gold medalist/skier from Norway) – Eliminated on Day Two
Patrick Bruel (French singer and actor and former gold bracelet winner) – Eliminated on Day Two
Teddy Sherington (UK football star) – Eliminated on Day Two
Rene Angelil (music manager – Celine Dion’s husband) – Eliminated on Day Two
Dan Einhorn (prospective owner – New York Mets) – Eliminated on Day Two
Paul Pierce (NBA’s Boston Celtics) – Eliminated on Day Two
Nelly (singer-performer) – Eliminated on Day One
Ray Romano (actor and comedian) – Eliminated on Day One
Shane Warne (cricketer) – Eliminated on Day One
Jennifer Tilly (actress and former WSOP gold bracelet winner) – Eliminated on Day One

The two most notable celebrities still remaining in the Main Event are actors-comedians, Jason Alexander (appears in photo headlining this story) and Brad Garrett. 

Wendeen Eolis, from New York, NY was eliminated on Day Two.  Eolis was the first woman ever to cash in the WSOP Main Event, which occurred in 1986.  She has played in a least one WSOP event in every year since then.

Howard “Tahoe” Andrew, from Walnut Creek, CA was eliminated on Day Two.  Duel gold bracelet winner Andrew first attended the WSOP in 1974.  He has played in the WSOP in every year since then and holds the current streak for consecutive appearances.

NBA basketball all-star Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) was eliminated on Day Two.  He had a fair number of chips early in the day, but went card dead and busted just before day’s end.  Pierce was interviewed as he exited the tournament.  “I had a great time,” Pierce said.  “I will definitely be back again next year.”

David Einhorn, who has been in the mainstream news a lot recently for his pending offer to buy a majority stake in Major League Baseball’s New York Mets, was eliminated on Day Two.  Einhorn is a hedge-fund manager (with Greenlight Capital).  He finished 18th in the 2006 WSOP Main Event.  That year, Einhorn donated the entire sum of his winnings ($659,730) to the Michael J. Fox Foundation (charity).

Marsha Wolak, winner of this year’s Ladies World Poker Championship was eliminated during Day 2-A.

Lisa Hamilton, winner of the 2009 Ladies World Poker Championship, will play on Day Three (returning with 126,700 in chips).

Mike Sexton, the popular poker commentator and writer and inductee in the Poker Hall of Fame, was eliminated late on Day Two.

Two-time gold bracelet winner Barry Shulman, owner of Card Player magazine and the 2009 WSOP Europe Main Event champion, was eliminated on Day Two.

Mike Caro, a.k.a. “The Mad Genius” will be playing on Day Three.  He returns with 42,300 in chips.  Caro has been one of poker’s foremost writers and theorists for nearly 30 years.

Three-time gold bracelet winner David Sklansky was eliminated on Day Two.  He is the author of many books and is one of the most respected poker theorists in the game.

Jake Cody
Eugene Katchalov
Sean Getzwiller
Matt Perrins
Geffrey Klein
Viacheslav Zhukov
David Diaz
Tyler Bonkowski
Foster Hays
Darren Woods
Elie Payan
John Monnette
Mark Radoja
Chris Viox
Daniel Idema
Sam Stein
Mark Schmid
Jason Mercier
Mikhail Lakhitov
Arkadiy Tsinis
Mitch Schock
Matt Jarvis
Justin Pechie
Ben Lamb
Kenneth Griffin
Joe Ebanks
Athanasios Polychronopoulos
Antonin Teisseire
Matt Matros
Marsha Wolak
Maxim Lykov
Alexander Anter
Nick Binger

DAY TWO ODDS AND ENDS

Based on WSOP figures during the modern era (2003 to present), the Day One chip leader has a slightly less than even chance of cashing in the Main Event.

This is the 58th and final event on the 2011 WSOP schedule which is played in Las Vegas.  Seven more gold bracelet events will take place in Cannes, France, to be held in October 7th through 20th as part of the 5th Annual World Series of Poker Europe.   

This marks the seventh consecutive year the WSOP has been held at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and 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 Caesars Entertainment assumed ownership and control of the world most prestigious poker event, more than twice the money has been awarded to winners within the Rio during the past six years than during the entire proceeding 35-year period at the Horseshoe.

The total number of entrants in the WSOP Main Event (all 42 years combined) is 58,657.

Over the past five years, the average attendance for the WSOP Main Event has been 6,776 entrants.  Hence, this year’s figure was slightly ahead of the post-UIGEA average.

The WSOP Main Event always attracts family members.  Husbands and wives that entered the championship this year include Max and Maria Stern.  Chip and Karina Jett also entered the Main Event.  There were also two fathers and sons, who entered – including Tom Dwan and his father Tom Dwan, Sr.  Another father-son combo was Phil Galfond and his father Glenn.  A grandmother-grandson duo was Sean Deeb and his grandmother Ellen Deeb.

One of the most incredible feats in WSOP history occurred in last year’s Main Event Championship when all four of the Mizrachi brothers cashed in the tournament.  This year, the group is not having such a good year.  Eric Mizrachi hit the rail late on Day Two.

Happy Birthday to Me:  At one point during the day, the boyfriend of a player asked for an announcement to be made across the P.A. system that it was his girlfriend’s birthday -- her 25th.  The lady, Elisabeth Hille, was playing on Day 2-B.  Staff considered the request but then decided that announcing birthdays could pose a bit of a problem.  Since there were 2,490 players that started the day, odds were at least 6-7 players were celebrating their birthdays, too.  So, the request was respectfully declined.  However, since the boyfriend was so persistent and wanted to acknowledge the special day of the player, we’ll add a “Happy Birthday” greeting to Elisabeth Hille, from Bergen, Norway.

A Special Guest:  Late on Day 2-A, the WSOP received a surprise visitor.  Madeline Ungar, wife of the late great Stu Ungar, arrived in the tournament room.  She was introduced to the crowd, which stopped play and gave Ms. Ungar a very warm reception.  Ungar, a three-time world champion, is revered as one of the best players ever to play the game.  He died in 1997 at age 45.

MORE ODDS AND ENDS

This tournament attracted 6,865 entries. 

The field included a total of 242 female players.  This figure represents 3.5 percent of the field.

The average age of all players was 37.2 years.

This is the 950th gold bracelet tournament event in World Series of Poker history.  This figure includes every official WSOP event ever played, including tournaments during the early years when there were no actual gold bracelets awarded.  It also includes the 16 gold bracelets awarded to date at WSOP Europe (2007-2010).  Moreover for the first time ever, one gold bracelet was awarded for this year’s winner of the WSOP Circuit National Championship.

WSOP --   FOR THE AGES

The youngest player to enter the 2011 WSOP Main Event Championship was Logan Deen, from Cocoa, FL.  He turned 21 on the day he took his seat in the Main Event.  This means he now holds a record than can only be tied, but never broken (unless age restriction laws are changed in the future).  He was cheered on by his family, who call themselves the “Deen Team.”  Unfortunately, he was eliminated on Day Two.

The oldest player to enter the 2011 WSOP Main Event Championship was Ellen “Gram” Deeb, from Troy, NY.  She became the oldest female participant in Main Event history at the age of 91.  Mrs. Deeb was introduced to the huge crowd, which gave her one of the day’s biggest ovations.  After she stood to wave to the crowd, she grabbed the mircophone from a tournament official and snapped, “I just have one thing to say!  You are all playing for second!”  The crowd went wild.  Unfortunately, Mrs. Deeb was eliminated on Day One.  The WSOP looks forward to welcoming her again in 2012.

………………………………………………………………………….

INFORMATION AND DATA FROM PREVIOUS REPORTS:

TOURNAMENT NUMBERS

This is the third-largest live poker tournament in history.  Only the 2006 WSOP Main Event (at 8,773 entrants) and the 2010 WSOP Main Event (at 7,319 entrants) were bigger.  Prior to this year, the third largest live tournament was the 2008 WSOP Main Event -- with 6,844 players.

Here are the six largest live poker tournaments in history:

2006 WSOP Main Event – 8,773 players
2010 WSOP Main Event – 7,319 players
2011 WSOP Main Event – 6,865 players
2008 WSOP Main Event – 6,844 players
2009 WSOP Main Event – 6,494 players
2007 WSOP Main Event – 6,358 players

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
8 – Humberto Brenes
7 – Bobby Baldwin
7 – Doyle Brunson
7 – Jay Heimowitz
7 – Phil Hellmuth
7 – Mike Sexton
6 – John Bonetti
6 – Johnny Moss
6 – Jason Lester
6 – Steve Lott
6 – Chris Bjorin
6 – John Esposito
6 – Johnny Chan
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:

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

Most Main Events Played (Career):

38 – Tie: Doyle Brunson (did not play 1999 through 2001); Howard “Tahoe” Andrew
 
OVERALL 2011 WSOP STATISTICS (ALL EVENTS)

Through Event #58 (all gold bracelet events), the 2011 WSOP has attracted 75,672 combined total entries.  $191,999,010 in prize money has been awarded. 

Through the conclusion of Event #57, the breakdown of nationality of gold bracelet winners has been:

United States (35)
Canada (5)
Ukraine (4)
France (4)
Great Britain (3)
Russia (3)
Brazil (1)
Pakistan (1)
Sweden (1)

Through the conclusion of Event #57, the national origin (birthplace) of winners has been:

United States (31)
Canada (5)
Ukraine (4)
France (4)
Great Britain (3)
Russia (3)
Israel (1)
Honduras (1)
Indonesia (1)
Germany (1)
Brazil (1)
Pakistan (1)
Sweden (1)

Through the conclusion of Event #57, the home-states of (American) winners have been:

California (7)
New York (6)
Nevada (6)
Texas (3)
Florida (2)
Illinois (2)
Connecticut (2)
New Jersey (1)
Tennessee (1)
Indiana (1)
Maryland (1)
Virginia (1)
Michigan (1)
North Dakota (1)
Washington (1)
Ohio (1)

Through the conclusion of Event #57, the breakdown of professional poker players to semi-pros and amateurs who won gold bracelets has been:

Professional Players (44):  Jake Cody, Cheech Barbaro, Eugene Katchalov, Allen Bari, Harrison Wilder, Matt Perrins, Sean Getzwiller, Viacheslav Zhukov, David Diaz, Andrew Badecker, Tyler Bonkowski, Brian Rast (2 wins), John Juanda, Aaron Steury, Darren Woods, Jason Somerville, Bertrand Grospellier, John Monnette, Elie Payan, Mark Radoja, Chris
Viox, Dan Idema, Andy Frankenberger, Chris Lee, Sam Stein, Mark Schmid, Jason Mercier, Mikhail Lakhitov, Fabrice Soulier, Mitch Schock, Matt Jarvis, Justin Pechie, Ben Lamb, Rep Porter, Andre Akkari, Joe Ebanks, Lenny Martin, Athanasios Polychronopoulos, Antonin Teisseire, Matt Matros, Marsha Wolak. Maxim Lykov, Nick Binger

Semi-Pros (6):  Sean R. Drake, Amir Lehavot, Oleksii Kovalchuk, Eric Rosawig, Arkadiy Tsinis, Alexander Anter

Amateurs (7):  Geffrey Klein, Foster Hays, James Hess, Kirk Caldwell, Ken Griffin, Owais Ahmed, David Singontiko

Since tracking first started in 2005, this year’s WSOP has the greatest disparity of professionals winning over semi-pros and amateurs than any year recorded, so far – with 50 out of 57 events being won by pros or semi-pros.

Through the conclusion of this tournament, the victories of 12 of the 57 winners (21 percent) marked the first time the new champion had ever cashed at the WSOP.

Every WSOP held over the past 11 years has included at least one multiple gold bracelet champion (meaning two or more wins within the same year).  The last year the WSOP was comprised exclusively of single-event winners was back in 1999.  The record for most multiple gold bracelet winners within a single year was in 2009, when five players managed to win two or more titles.  Brian Rast’s victory in two tournaments – Events #15 and #55 -- means the multi-gold bracelet streak will continue for at least another year.

The streak of consecutive male WSOP gold bracelet winners is currently at 213 consecutive events.  Aside from the annual Ladies Poker Championship, the last female player to win a WSOP tournament open to both sexes was Vanessa Selbst, in 2008.  The longest “cold” streak for female players occurred between years 1982 and 1996, when 221 consecutive open events passed without a female champion.

The highest finish by any female (open events) at this year’s WSOP was accomplished by two players.  Maria Ho finished second ($5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em).  Kim Nguyen also finished as the runner up ($1,500 buy-in Six-Handed Limit Hold’em).

The highest finish by any defending champion at this year’s WSOP was by David Baker, who after winning the previous $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Deuce-to-Seven Draw Lowball World Championship finished in sixth place in defense of his title.

Reigning world poker champions rarely perform well the following year after their victory.  Chris “Jesus” Ferguson was the last world champion to win a gold bracelet the next year, which happened in 2001.  Perhaps it’s due to the increasing size of the fields.  But there’s also great pressure on the champions to do well.  What follows is a list of the only world champions in history to win a gold bracelet after winning the championship during the previous year:

Johnny Moss (1975)
Doyle Brunson (1977)
Bobby Baldwin (1979)
Stu Ungar (1981)
Johnny Chan (1988)
Hamid Dastmalchi (1993)
Chris “Jesus” Ferguson (2001)

By contrast, players who make it to the final table of the Main Event Championship (November Nine) one year tend to do quite well in subsequent WSOP years.  Consider that last year, three former Main Event finalists won gold bracelets – Eric Buchman, Tex Barch and Scott Montgomery.  This year, Matt Jarvis won his first gold bracelet one year after making it to the November Nine in 2010.

New tournament records set at the 2011 WSOP (to date):

Biggest Heads-Up tournament prize pool in history ($3,040,000) – Event #2
Largest live Omaha High-Low Split Tournament in history (925 entries) – Event #3
Largest live Six-Handed tournament in poker history (1,920 entries) – Event #10
Biggest Deuce-to-Seven tournament prize pool in history ($1,184,400) – Event #16
Largest live $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament in history with single day start (3389 entries) – Event #56
Largest live $1,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament in history with single day start (3175 entries) – Event #20
Largest consecutive-days starting field sizes in poker history (combined 6,332 entries) – Event #18 and Event #20
Largest live Pot-Limit Omaha tournament in poker history (1,071 entries) – Event #22
Largest Mixed-Game (Eight-Game Mix) in poker history (489 entries) – Event #23
Largest Seniors tournament in poker history (3,752 entries) – Event #30
Biggest Seniors No-Limit Hold’em championship prize pool in history ($3,376,800) – Event #30
Largest single-day live tournament start in poker history (3,752 entries) – Event #30
Largest consecutive-days starting field sizes in poker history (combined 6,580 entries) – Event #30/Event #32 (broke Event #18/Event #20 record from earlier in 2011 WSOP)
Largest four-consecutive days field sizes in poker history (2,500+3,752+2,828+3,144 =12,224 entries) -- Events 28, 30, 32, 34, June 16-19, 2011
Largest Mixed Pot-Limit tournament in history (606 entries) – Event #39
Biggest Pot-Limit Omaha prize pool in live poker history ($3,393,400) – Event #42

New player records set at the 2011 WSOP (to date):

The 35-year span between Artie Cobb’s first cash in this event (1976) and most recent cash in the same event (2011) represents the longest time span in WSOP history.  He accomplished this in Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split (Event #25).
Phil Hellmuth added to his record as the individual all-time leader in cashes (84) and final table appearances (43).
Howard “Tahoe” Andrew added to his record as the player with the longest consecutive streak of WSOP appearances (entering at least one event), currently at 38 years and counting (1974 to present).
First player in history with three second-place finishes within a single year – Phil Hellmuth
Tony “Top Cat” Cousineau added to his record as the player with the most WSOP cashes, but no wins (49).

RAISING AWARENESS:  BAD BEAT ON CANCER AND THE WSOP

Bad Beat on Cancer was created in 2003 by Phil Gordon and Rafe Furst as an easy and fun way for poker players to donate to the Prevent Cancer Foundation.  It all began when Chris Moneymaker pledged 1 percent of his 2003 Main Event winnings and went on to capture the championship, contributing $25,000 when he was awarded the $2.500,000 first- place prize.  By taking the pledge, wearing the patch, and joining ‘Team 1%’, players can feel good supporting a cause that only benefits when they win.  As the official charity of the WSOP, pledges simply indicate to the payouts staff that they are donating 1 percent of their winnings, and the funds are automatically withheld.  A tax receipt is generated and sent to their mailing address.  Several high profile professionals have made ‘life pledges’ of 1 percent of all their winnings -- including Annie Duke, Phil Hellmuth Jr., Lee Childs, Paul Wasicka, Andy Bloch, Dennis Phillips, and others.  Since 2003, the initiative has raised over $3,500,000 for cancer prevention research, education, and community outreach programs.  Players can pick up a patch and join Team 1% by stopping by the Bad Beat on Cancer booth, located at the 2011 WSOP opposite the Amazon Room in the concourse.  The Nevada Cancer Institute based in Las Vegas is a benefiting charity from the Bad Beat on Cancer.

Note:  Various categories and statistics will be updated with each gold bracelet event as they are completed.

Note:  All results are now official and may be reprinted by media.  If you are posting these results on a website, we would appreciate providing a link back to:  WSOP.com