Posted on 07/07/2009 11:56:35 AM PDT by RabidBartender
The World Series of Poker Day 1d attracted record numbers, much to the chagrin of WSOP officials, who did not have room for the 500 or so extra people who ultimately got shut out, among them big name pros like Patrik Antonius and six-time gold bracelet winner T.J. Cloutier.
"We are sorry, and I am sorry," said Jeffrey Pollack, World Series of Poker commissioner. "The last thing that we ever want to do is deny people entry into our events."
Hundreds of hopefuls waited in the hallways at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas to see if they could get into the tournament, which had plenty of seats available during its first three opening days. Roughly 2,700 players entered the tournament on Monday.
Monday's field meant a final total of 6,494 players have entered the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, creating a total prize pool of $61,043,600. Whoever ends up with all the chips will take home over $8.5 million, and everyone who makes the final table is guaranteed to come away a millionaire.
Of the 2,809 who came out Monday, approximately 1,900 survived the five levels to return on Day 2. Among those who didn't were Michael Binger, Ray Romano, Chip Jett, Scott Clements, Scott Fischman, Sully Erna, David Williams, Jared Hamby, Ivan Demidov, Jeff Madsen, and Phil Galfond. Several notables ended the day with greater than average stacks, including Prahlad Friedman, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier, Blair Hinkle, J.C. Tran, Jesper Hougaard, David Benyamine, Kirk Morrison, Chad Brown, Kenny Tran, and Phil Ivey. The biggest stack, however -- by far -- belongs to Troy Weber, who thanks in large part to a massive pot won near day's end moves on to Day 2 with 353,000, the tournament's overall chip leader.
T.J. Cloutier eliminated before he even got dealt a hand. Ouch.
Ping!
One of the things I’ve wanted to do before I die is play in the WSOP Main Event, but since ‘03, its become a complete circus. I would be beyond mad if I got shut out of a seat, more than likely having spent $10k of my own money to play in it.
I’ve always said that if I win the lotto big I will take my 10 poker buddies and buy their entry into the WSOP. We play Hold em about once or twice a month. A great chance for us guys to b*tch about the wives, talk some business and get some good laughs in.
we end up trading dollars when the final year end finishes...
I love watching this on tv. Sort of like when I would wait for the new Saprano episode.I hate the new format of waiting until November to crown a winner....
Thanks a lot.
May all your pots be monsters and all your cards be live.
Rumors circulating around Harrah’s that there is a possibility of a Day 1E to run tomorrow, concurrent with Day 2A.
i played in 06 i won a seat thru pokerstars for free and cashed in 504th out of 8k people and won 24k not too toot my own horn but i also made espn feature table. it was alot of fun!
I found on another website:
“While Harrah’s and the latest incarnation of the WSOP management have made mistakes before in the running of the greatest poker tournament on Earth, the company made the correct move on Monday. WSOP registration opened in March. This allowed players that wanted to play in the Championship Event a full three months to get their names on the list and send money to Harrah’s in order to ensure their position. Admittedly, poker players are not the most time-conscious beings that inhabit the planet, but three months to do anything is a pretty good leeway.”
So they did have 3 months to sign up.
5-time bracelet winner Ted Forrest also was turned away.
Heh - imagine the controversy if one of the 1E players made it to the final table, at the expense of those who signed up in time (especially if the 10th place finisher were Phil Hellmuth).
Should’ve signed up sooner, guys.
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