Event 45 - $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship Day 1 | 2008 World Series of Poker

06-25-2008 17:48 UTC-7

Bobby's Room is Empty Today

[user25067]

Virtually every single person who plays regularly in the "Big Game" in Bobby's Room at the Bellagio is playing in the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Barry Greenstein, Chau Giang, Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, David Grey, Phil Ivey, David Oppenheim, Ted Forrest, Eli Elezra, Minh Ly, and David Benyamine are all in the field.

The only "Big Game" player we're hearing is sidelined today is Patrik Antonius, who apparently isn't feeling well.

Tags: Doyle Brunson

06-25-2008 17:44 UTC-7

A Front Row Seat

[user40108]

Over at table three, David Williams is sitting in the seven seat. Seat eight is currently empty which prompted Williams' mother Shirley to come over and sit down. She jokingly cozied up to the table as though she were to be dealt in, prompting some laughs from David and the others.

06-25-2008 17:41 UTC-7

Woo and Velador Up the Stakes

[user40108]

Two recent winners of 1,500 No Limit Hold'em tournaments are both trying their luck in this event. Jose Luis Velador, winner of Event #32, as well as David Woo, winner of Event #39, are both attempting the ultimate parlay; turning a mere $1,500 into the likely $2 million first prize.

06-25-2008 17:31 UTC-7

Not a Bad Holding

[user40108]

Omaha Hi/Lo

After winning the blinds with a preflop raise, Perry Friedman tabled {A-Spades}

and sarcastically said "I think this is a good hand." He got a nice chuckle from Johnny "World" Hennigan and Daniel Negreanu.

Tags: Perry Friedman

06-25-2008 17:30 UTC-7

Say Cheese

[user37786]

From our vantage point on press row, I count...five...eight...nine photographers snapping pictures of the star-studded tables in today's event. And that doesn't even include the dozen or so tables around the corner. This is one of poker's crown jewels and the amped-up media presence is certainly proof of that.

Level: 1

Blinds: 0/0

Ante: 0

06-25-2008 17:12 UTC-7

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user40108]

With defending champion Freddy Deeb making the announcement, the cards are in the air.

06-25-2008 17:08 UTC-7

Play To Begin Soon

[user40108]

The players have all started to gather here in the Amazon Room. The orange quadrant of the room is where this prestigious event is being held and the staff here have spread the tables out to give the players and media a bit more room than normal.

At this point, the scene here resembles more of a meet and greet or poker hall of fame reunion. The best of the best are walking around, mingling, doing interviews and surveying their table draws.

There are currently 115 players registered for the event and climbing by the minute.

Jack Effel is making his announcements and the cards should be in the air soon

06-25-2008 04:15 UTC-7

$50,000 World Championship H.O.R.S.E. Event Slated for 5pm PDT Start

[user33020]

Freddy Deeb, 2007 $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Champion

One of the World Series of Poker's marquee events gets underway at 5pm on Wednesday -- Event #45, the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship. This mixed-games event returns for its third edition, with the winner receiving not only the special Corum bracelet created just for this event, but the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy, in commemoration of the event's late, inaugural winner.

Last year's second edition of the H.O.R.S.E. World Championship was won by Freddy Deeb, who topped a 148-player field of poker's elite to claim a $2,276,832 winner's check. Deeb will be on hand in defense of his title, as will most others among poker's biggest names.

Tags: Chip Reese Freddy Deeb