2008 World Series of Poker

39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info

2008 World Series of Poker

Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Entries
6,844
Players Left
9
Next Payout
Place 9
$900,670
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
120,000 / 240,000
Ante
30,000

A World Champion That Plays by the Rules

Reigning Main Event Champion Jerry Yang
Reigning Main Event Champion Jerry Yang
Jerry Yang, who had been watching the action from behind the rail with the spectators, decided he needed to have a quick chat with Greg Raymer and got the attention of one of our reporters.

"Excuse me," said Yang. "Do you think it would be OK if I went into the tournament area real quick to talk to Greg Raymer?" he asked.

"I think that would probably be just fine," answered our reporter with a hint of intrigue. Yang cautiously proceeded past the ropes and into the tournament area.

In the age of high-profile pros, many of whom have a blatant disregard for the rules and walk around "like they own the place," it's refreshing to see the current ambassador of our sport genuinely act as though he is no different than anybody else.

Tags: Jerry Yang

Chopping Down the Forrest

Ted Forrest (event #45) eliminated from today's Main Event
Ted Forrest (event #45) eliminated from today's Main Event
After the issue was cleared up with Ted Forrest's I.D., he didn't last too long.

According to the dealer at the table, six players limped in preflop and then the button, Giles Smadia, raised to 600. Only Forrest made the call after limping.

The flop came down {A-Diamonds} {Q-Diamonds} {2-Diamonds}. Forrest bet out 2,000. Giles raised to 7,000. forrest then moved all in for 19,000 total and Giles made the call. Forrest was covered by Giles.

Forrest: {2-Spades} {2-Hearts}
Smadia: {K-Diamonds} {J-Hearts}

Forrest held the best hand with a set of deuces, but Smadia had a big draw. The turn came the {7-Clubs} and Forrest needed to dodge the river.

The ESPN cameras hovered around the table as the dealer smacked the {10-Diamonds} on the river, completing the flush for Smadia.

Forrest counted down his chips, verified that Smadia had him covered, and then quickly exited the area. He left his bag and phone at the table and didn't really seem to care that they were behind.

Smadia is up to 46,000.

Tags: Giles SmadiaTed Forrest

Channing vs Vaswani

Neil Channing
Neil Channing
We are expecting plenty of fireworks today from a table featuring both Ram Vaswani and Neil Channing. It didn't take long for them to be involved in a hand. Vaswani called down bets on all streets but Channing took down the pot with a set of sevens.

Channing is up to 23,250 and Vaswani falls to 16,900.

Tags: Neil ChanningRam Vaswani

Sore Already??

We've been playing for about 45 minutes now and David Bach is already well into his usual massage therapy session. It's not unusual for players to receive massages at the table--at any given moment there are probably several dozen players getting rubdowns.

But Bach takes it to another level. During the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship Bach had something along the lines of an eight-hour massage, one that involved some serious arm-contorting and spine-snapping jolts. Today Bach is getting his neck and shoulders rubbed with such ferocity that he's shaking like a bobblehead. Everyone has their own methods for getting in the proper mood for a long, long day at the table.

Anything Is Possible on Day 1

Among the many amateur hopefuls here today is William Davidson, a retired GM factory worker from South Carolina.

Last year Davidson qualified for the Main Event via PokerStars for just $14. He made it all of the way to 382nd last year and into the money. This year Davidson also qualified via PokerStars, this time investing $80 to do so.

Also here today is Steve Biko, a sales representative for a computer networking company. Unlike Davidson, Biko bought his way into today's event for the full ten grand, though he says he's made his buy-in (and more) playing on Full Tilt.

Davidson and Biko are just two of hundreds of others here today who are hoping to emerge from the sea of unknowns to be the next Jerry Yang.

Yang-tastic

Jerry Yang is making his way around the room, shaking hands with anyone and everyone. It's like a receiving line at a wedding, except that Yang is seeking out the well-wishers, rather than having them come to him.

Yang will be playing on Day 1d.

Rocket Mac

Tom McEvoy raises to 400 under the gun and a middle-position player calls. The big blind also calls.

The flop is {5-Spades}{J-Hearts}{2-Diamonds} and the opponent checks. McEvoy bets 1,000 and the MP player folds. The opponent calls. The turn is {7-Hearts} and the opponent checks. McEvoy bets 1,600 and the opponent calls. The river is {A-Clubs} and the opponent checks. McEvoy bets 2,000 and the opponent calls. McEvoy shows {A-Diamonds}{A-Hearts} and is up to 32,000.

Playing a Different Game -- Update

Forty-five minutes into Level 1, a new dealer pushed into Blue #1. The players in the blinds had posted 25 and 50, prompting the dealer to ask them to post 50 and 100. Imagine nine players looking somewhat stunned, then all simultaneously turning to look at the tournament clock to confirm that yes, the blinds have been 50 and 100 for the whole level.

"Whoops," said Jamie Gold. "We've been playing our own game over here."

Dustin Sitar Doubles Up

By the turn of {Q-Diamonds} {5-Spades} {8-Spades} , Dustin Sitar was all in against a late-position opponent. His opponent called and Sitar had his opponent covered by 150 chips.

Sitar held {Q-Clubs} {Q-Hearts} and his opponent held {8-Hearts} {8-Clubs}. The turn of the {10-Hearts} and river of {3-Hearts} failed to bring the miracle one-outer for Sitar's opponent and Sitar doubled up to 38,000 chips.

Tags: Dustin Sitar