32nd Annual World Series of Poker Begins
For the better part of a month this is a poker players paradise. There are plenty of side games and satellite tournaments in addition to the main events that take place daily.
On May 14 the main event begins. Last year there were more entries that ever before. A total of 512 people were seated, each with $10,000 in front of them. When the smoke cleared three days later Chris Ferguson outlasted the all-time money winner in the event T.J. Cloutier. Ferguson took home $1,500,000 for his efforts. Each day the events are scheduled to begin at noon. The daily tournaments run into the wee hours of the morning. Spectators are welcome to watch and there is NO admission fee. Two super satellites are held daily, and one table satellites are held around the clock.
The World Series Of Poker is a taste of the old Las Vegas. When people put up their money and gambled until one person was left standing. The characters and feel of the Horseshoe during the event is a throwback to a time when real gamblers gambled.
This year the best of the best, the late Stu Ungar will be inducted into the Poker Hall Of Fame. I watched him play on many occasions and when he won his 3rd championship in 1997 I never saw him so happy. Interestingly, he took up poker only after he totally conquered the world of gin rummy. He was such a devastating player that when he was only in his mid-twenties he was generally considered the greatest gin player of his time. And many thought he was the greatest of all-time.
He entered the World Series of Poker on a whim in 1980 and won it. Many thought he lucked out and that his victory was a fluke. He entered the following year with something to prove. Being the defending champion, he couldn't sneak up on anyone. Stu Ungar liked it like that. He repeated his victory and the poker world accepted him as the real deal. Ungar played poker brilliantly.
He used his chips like a weapon. He knew his opponents weaknesses and was more than capable of taking advantage of them. He belongs in the Poker Hall Of Fame. He was one for the ages.
With a sad heart I went to the funeral of Harvey Krendel.
He was one of the sharpest sports bettors in Las Vegas. He also played poker with the best of them. He enjoyed playing at The World Series of Poker. Harvey was a soft spoken gentleman and his word was always his bond.The world is a little less honorable because of his absence. His soft smile and generous heart touched many lives, and all his friends in and out of the gambling world will miss him. Rest in Peace Harvey. You did good here.
As Always…Good Luck!