World Series of Poker: the Calm Before the Storm
June 28, 2008
We are in the final week before the 2008 World Series of Poker main event. There is still a lot of "preliminary" action going on at the Rio; action that should not be overlooked as we all get our over/under bets in for the big show.
The $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. tournament hits Day Four today with 24 survivors including: Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Scotty Nguyen, Erick Lindgren and the eventual winner.
There are two final tables today: Event #47 a six-handed Hold'em event and Event #48 Seven Card Stud that will have to play down from 13 to a champion today. Event #48 is a $2,000 Hold'em event entering Day Two today; they stopped play late last night as the players hit the money at 198th place. So everyone who goes out today walks away with cash.
The big event today is the noon start of another $1,500 No Limit Hold'em tournament. Last year this event (Saturday before the Main Event) broke all existing records for non-Main Event registrations. That record has already been broken this year back on May 31st. All eyes will be on the registration count today, as anticipation is high for another record turnout.
Sunday will bring us the final $10,000 Championship event prior to the Main Event. Expect a heavy European contingent for Event #50 Pot Limit Omaha. Late on Sunday, Event #51 $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. will go off at 5 PM.
Monday brings the 7th and final $1,500 NLHE tournament; speculation is mixed on what a Monday start will mean for these usually big registration events. With two of these low buy-in events the final weekend before the Main Event, it is anyone's guess how many players have come in to town to take a double-shot at a WSOP bracelet.
Tuesday brings us the now traditional $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout Event #53. Followed by the Ante Up for Africa Charity event on Wednesday.
Finally, the beginning of the end and the arrival of the storm. On Thursday the Main Event will kick off four Day Ones with Day 1A. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday will each launch a separate Day One, as the march to the November Final Table begins.
Comments
Got something to say?