2009 World Series of Poker: The Story So Far

News / Matthew Pitt / 03 June 2009 / Leave a comment

On May 27 the 2009 World Series of Poker began with the $500 No-limit Hold'em Event for Casino Employees, where N9NE Steakhouse Barman, Andrew Cohen won $83,778 and the first Corum bracelet of the series.

However, it was the next day's tournament that grabbed the limelight, the 40th Anniversary tournament with a credit-crunch busting entry fee of $40,000!

As would be expect with such a large buy-in, the tournament was full of some of the world's best and well-known poker players, 201 of them in fact, creating a prizepool of $7,718,400 and generating a massive following from the rail.

Betfair's very own tournament specialist, Sorel Mizzi had an outstanding tournament, eventually being eliminated in 25th position which was good for $71,858. His exit hand was one of poker's coinflip situations when he and David 'Bakes' Baker ended up all-in preflop with Mizzi holding Queens to the Ace-King of Baker. A board of 5c4c3d kept Mizzi in front but the young Canadian was undone a black King on the turn and an ace on the river.

Flying the flag for Europe and indeed England was Neil Channing. The brainchild behind Black Belt Poker finished in 20th place when he open-shoved 10BB stack in Under The Gun with Ac5s, only to be called by Isaac Haxton's AdKc and Vitaly Lunkin's AhQd. A king on the flop was enough to award the pot to Haxton who would later contest a two-hour long heads-up battle against Lunkin but have to settle for a runners-up spot when his bottom pair and flush draw could not hit against the Russian's Aces.

Event 3 was the $1,500 Omaha Hi/Low 8 or Better event, attracting a record 918 entrants including popular UK Blogger, Robert 'Animal' Price. After three gruelling days of poker, 'Animal' finally exited the tournament in fourth spot for a very welcomed score of $73,405. The tournament was finally won by Thang Luu who claimed his second WSOP bracelet and $263,135 for his efforts. Amazingly, Luu won this same tournament last year and finished second in2007. Maybe they should rename the tournament after him?

At time of writing there is a European player hoping to show the American's we can play poker with the best of them. Italian Max Pescatori, like 141 others, paid $10,000 to enter the first World Championship Event of the series, the specialised Seven Card Stud Event. There are currently in the money and down to the last 11 players including Daniel Negreanu and 'Freddy' Deeb. Best of luck to Max.

If you know of any Betfair Poker regulars who are plying their trade in Vegas right now then leave a comment and we will try to give them a mention should they cash, go deep or are involved in a memorable hand.

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