How many of you would claim to know what the alleged richest individualistic prize in sport is ? We’re talking in terms of financial value , rather than its prestige. Certainly no longer is it the once prized possession of the world heavyweight title in boxing. Well , quite honestly the sport and in particular the heavyweight division has become a complete farce and an absolute diabolical joke ! Don King are you listening ? The same can be said for Bob Arum and fellow promoter Oscar De La Hoya . You’ve all now done the sport a great disservice ! And not only that but you continue to insult the most vocal fans of the sport. The sport itself has lost all integrity. Not that it might have had any at all to begin with.
ESPN each year gives us The National Spelling Bee . Where a copious assortment of youngsters gather together , in order to decide which amongst them are the brightest and the best in spelling a word, that many of them will probably never use in a conversation in a social setting , much less in their soon to be professional lives. Now for those of you out there , who actually watch and try and compete against many of these youngsters only to embarrass yourself. Because you’re astounded to find out that you couldn’t spell the word assigned to one of the competitors. Don’t be embarrassed or ashamed as many of us were probably in the same boat to begin with. It’s not as if we’re all able to memorize a Roget’s Thesaurus or Webster’s Dictionary ,then spell that word succinctly without a mistake. Given the added pressure, that this has to be done within the specific time frame allowed.
Well , have any of you guessed it as of yet as to what the so called richest prize in sport actually is ? Well no it’s not the prize money doled out to the winner of the Fedex Cup on the PGA Tour. Hey Tiger , can you spare a brother a couple of bucks ’til my next pay check ? I know you’ve won the Fedex Cup twice and the accumulated $20 million (prize money- $10 million for finishing atop of the PGA Tour’s year end standings) winning year ending Fedex Cup series of that’ll come your way by way of an annuity won’t exactly strain you. Considering that it has been alleged that you’ve earned in excess of $1 billion over the course of your career thus far. And not only that , in terms of where you are now and where you’ll be ten years from now. I’d dare say that you’ll be on your way to earning your second billion ?
The amazing Phil Ivey seen here competing in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Tournament 2009. picture appears courtesy of Lyle Troughton …….
If you’ve not guessed as of yet , well the answer is , wait for it , wait for it ! The answer is, the approximately $ 8.52 million for winning the World Series of Poker (WSOP) tournament held each year at the Rio Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada. A site which in essence is perfect for the sport’s greatest showcase of professional talent. And yes I did say sport …such as in ‘a competitive endeavor ‘ Poker you may not think of it being, a sport . But in many ways it very much is a sport. So there may not be any athletic prowess needed but cerebrally , in every way the game of poker is very much a sport . Where a competitor has to out think an opponent , whilst at the same time not giving them the advantage of knowing what they might at the time be thinking.
Being very much a sport’s enthusiast , the first time I saw a televised showing of poker on ESPN. I thought that the powers that be there at the ESPN Headquarters ,in Bristol , Connecticut , had lost their damn minds ! Who the hell was going to watch this I thought to myself ? Little did I know that once te shoe dropped the programming would become a ratings’ bonanza for the network. And when a poker audience for a televised event outshines the network’s coverage of Professional Bull Riding, NHL and in some even their coverage of a NASCAR Sprint Cup series scheduled event. Well , that most certainly tells you that ESPN is definitely on to something. And as unlikely as that scenario might sound. They are now running for the hills with another ‘ cash cow’ televised event.
Production wise it costs the outlet very little if anything to televise the event. As their hosts in this case the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas are more than willing to facilitate the network and its slew of employees once the event commences and the broadcast begins to take shape. It’s a win , win , situation for every one concerned in the endeavor. Never mind that the contestants essentially become household names overnight. That’s if they’re not already ? The likes of Phil Ivey, Annie Duke, T. J. Cloutier , <a href="http://pokerpages.com/players/profiles/608/chris-ferguson.htm/ Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson , Joe Hachem, Daniel Negreanu and Phil Hellmuth have become stars , overnight sensations. And in a number of cases , extremely wealthy individuals. Not only by way of prize money alone but also with lucrative marketing of their images as a brand and being invited to participate in a number of high stakes table events catered for the public and fans worlwide.
And this has now become the high stakes world of poker as a professional sport. It also has its legions of fans across the globe . Just like any other sport that’s catered to the fan on an up close and personal basis. And the players, themselves seem to very much enjoy the adulation that’s thrown their way by those very fans. They’re as vociferous as any other sport’s fans out. And most certainly in many instances they’re just as knowledgeable about the game and what their hero might do while at the poker table.
As to the event itself, as it proceeds to reach its culmination. The fan interest in the event and the final Main Table has become more heightened than ever before. As there’s the belief that the world’s number one player in Phil Ivey will finally get his due and just reward , by taking the event. It’s one event missing from his list of achievements throughout his professional career, so far. A win and it would most certain cement his legacy as one of the very best to ever play the game.
Ivey seen center alongside his fellow eight contestants who’ll be fighting it out for the $8.5 million first prize and the unofficial title of being viewed as the World Champion having won the main event at the Final Table of the World Series of Poker(WSOP) There are however, still eighteen full fledged participants still scouring to be part of the ‘Final 9’ to be left at the Main Table which’ll ultimately decide the champion and the winner of the WSOP bracelet. picture appears courtesy of espn.com/ Chris Gustaffson …………
Courtesy of About.com poker:
Final 9 Poker Players at 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event
By Toby Bochan about.com
Learn about the final table players at the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, also known as the “November Nine” as they must wait months to play for the over $8.5 million first prize money in November, 2009.
The November Nine, in order of chips:
Darvin Moon is the chip leader of the final table. A 45-year-old logger from Oakland, Maryland, Moon learned to play poker with his friends. He has never been at the World Series of Poker before, and won his way in through a satellite. Read more about Darvin Moon
Eric Buchman is second in chips, and is a 28-year-old poker player from Valley Stream, New York. He’s cashed in the WSOP nine times and even made another final table at this year’s WSOP, finishing 6th in Event 25, a Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or better event. To date, his highest WSOP finish was in 2006 when he placed second in a Limit Hold’em event, winning nearly $175,000. Read more about Eric Buchman
Steven Begleiter is 47 years old and lives in Chappaqua, New York. He played in the 2008 WSOP Main Event but was unable “to dance between the raindrops” to make it deep into the tournament. He’s married and has three children, and when he isn’t playing poker, he spends his time watching and coaching his kids’ sports teams. Read more about Steven Begleiter
Jeff Shulman is the editor of the famous Card Player magazine, and is the son of Barry Shulman, CEO of the magazine. Jeff is the only player at the table to have made a WSOP Main Event final table before: In 2000, Shulman finished 7th, winning $146,700. The 34-year-old lives in Las Vegas and has more than $1 million in career winnings. Read more about Jeff Shulman
Joseph Cada is from Michigan and is the youngest player at the final table at 21. Despite his youth, he’s already played in some 16 WSOP events and boasts nearly $500,000 in poker winnings. His hobbies include playing sports and spending time on the water. Read more about Joseph Cada
Kevin Schaffel is a 51-year-old from Coral Springs, Florida who has been playing poker since he was 11. He considers himself “semi-retired” after closing a printing company that he owned and operated for 30 years. Schaffel plans “to play a lot of golf” in the coming days and weeks. Read more about Kevin Schaffel
Phil Ivey may be 7th in chips but this 33-year-old is still a favorite to take down the title. In 2003 he almost made the final table of the WSOP main event but busted out 10th. Ivey is considered by many to be the world’s greatest poker player and has seven WSOP bracelets, two from 2009. Read more about Phil Ivey
Antoine Saout is a 25-year-old from France and won his seat into the tournament through an online satellite. Read more about Antoine Saout
James Akenhead is a 26-year-old from London, England. He’s a former railroad conductor and current poker pro. He finished second in an event at the 2008 WSOP, winning $520,000. Read more about James Akenhead
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What some professionals are now saying about the event and who they see winning it outright.
Courtesy of WSOP.com:
WSOP.com recently caught up with a few of this year’s World Series of Poker Bracelet winners as well as a few well-known personalities in the poker community to ask them for their November Nine predictions. This is what some of them had to say.
“I find it hard to pick against the chip leader Darvin Moon. Although very inexperienced, in a relatively short amount of playing time I think the big money will win. Plus, he’s a really nice guy.”
– TJ Cloutier
“I hereby predict that Jeff Shulman will win the 2009 Main Event. I feel that he is the only player that has two ways to win this thing: Either outplay his opponents or lucksack his way to victory. Godspeed.”
– Bryan Micon
“I think Phil Ivey will win. The other players will stay out of confrontations until Phil has enough chips to push them around.”
– Barry Greenstein
“I am coaching Jeff Shulman, and the way Jeff plays may well shock the world!! So I am predicting that Jeff Shulman will win it all! If Ivey gets to 25 million in chips he will be tough!”
– Phil Hellmuth
“Moon has a big chip lead. Ivey has a big skill lead, but trails in chips by 6 to 1. Ivey will go all out to win, so I predict he will either be first or second or, unfortunately more likely, first or second to be eliminated. Still, I have to pick Moon to win. He will be followed by 2 of the next 3 chip counts, therefore I also think second and third will go to Buchman, Begleiter or Schulman in any order.”
– Steve Zolotow
“I am selecting Eric Buchman. He is in a solid 2nd place in chips. In his interviews he seems to have a very professional attitude and the proper disregard for money in order to gamble correctly at the final table. As a fellow 7-Stud player, I think Eric has acquired the ability to adjust to different situations at the Stud tables.”
– David Bach
$50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Champion“I predict my local boy, Joseph Cada, will take this down. He’s in the middle of the pack right now. He has the stamina, the willpower and the confidence to win this tournament. He is the youngest player at the table, but in experience he ranks in with the top guys. I think it’s our team’s time to shine. We had a great WSOP, all of us combined and look forward to continuing our streak.”
– Anthony Harb
Event #11 $2,000 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner“I think Joe Cada will be the Main Event champion. I think the youngest winner record will fall for the second straight year. The young guys have pretty good knowledge and stamina to go all the way.”
– Travis Johnson
Event #7 $2,000 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner“I see no reason why Phil Ivey wouldn’t win the WSOP Main Event because he is simply the best there is.”
– Lisa Hamilton
2009 Ladies No Limit Hold’em World Champion“I think it is anybody’s ballgame. Phil Ivey has a long way to climb. I predict it will be one of the three in the middle of the field. Congratulations to all nine for their unbelievable accomplishment.”
– Mike Davis
2009 Seniors No Limit Hold’em World Champion“Even though he has a tremendous chip disadvantage, Ivey is the best player in the world and he’s destined to win the Main Event to cement the legacy and mystique that is Phil Ivey. This year is as good as any for him to do it.”
– Jordan Smith
Event #36 $2,000 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner“I think Phil Ivey is the favorite to win at 3.8 to 1, but not the favorite to last longer than anyone. In fact, I’ve already bet a substantial amount on Ivey in a must win bet against chip leader Darvin Moon.”
– Daniel Negreanu
“Picking Phil Ivey as the winner… or hopefully he gets in the top 3… I have a side bet going that he will finish in the top 3.”
– Brian Lemke
Event #15 $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner“Eric [Buchman] will win.”
– Jorg Peisert
Event #55 $3,000 Triple Chance No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner“I think Ivey’s experience will ultimately prevail, and he will take home the bracelet and the cash.”
– Ray Foley
Event #15 winner $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner“I think Phil Ivey has the best chance of winning this year’s WSOP. He is one of, if not the best player in the world right now, has tremendous experience and composure, and is due the recognition for his abilities. I hope the poker gods are with him!”
– Mary Jones
“Well, I guess most are going to say Phil Ivey and I would love to see that myself, but if I had to pick a winner, I guess I would say Jeff Shulman because he has lots of experience watching and playing poker. He is a student of the game and was playing good cards and catching good cards. I would bet on him to win… Although I hope he doesn’t throw away the bracelet.”
– Mike Eise
Event #28 $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Bracelet Winner====================================
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