We’re halfway through the 2012 WSOP, and the temperature and action is heating up. History was made in the seniors’ event and a former November Nine member proves he was no one hit wonder. The big story of the WSOP so far has to be the success both Phil’s are having. It seems you can’t find a final table without one of them there. We get you up to speed with the latest updates from the 2012 WSOP.
Event 29: $1,000 Seniors Event
Although this event is technically not an open event it still awards a bracelet. The seniors event only allows players 50 years and older to enter. That didn’t stop 4,128 people from paying the entry fee. That number is the highest ever opening day start to a tournament ever. Not just at the WSOP either, but of any tournament ever ran. Yes the Main Event has had more entrants but the fields are split into 3 or 4 opening days making the starting fields smaller. This event also ended the drought of woman winning a bracelet. It took over 250 WSOP events to do so, but Allyn Jaffrey Shulman would become the latest female poker player to win a bracelet. Her win also brings a nice payday of $603,713.
Shulman is the wife of Card Player magazines CEO Barry Shulman. The Shulman family is having a nice showing this year. Barry, along with their son Jeff, have both made final tables this year. Allyn’s win comes at the expense of Main event runner up Dennis Phillips. Dennis held a 5-1 chip lead at one point heads up, but Shulman battled through and with a good run of cards was able to best Phillips.
Event # 30: $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball
A small field of only 285 players were on tap for the 2-7 event. The final table would be a good one though. The eventual winner, Larry Wright would have to fight through some top players to capture his first bracelet. Michael Mizrachi would gain the chip lead early on, but that would fade after running into some big hands. Also at the final were Erik Lindgren, Andy Lichtenberger and Brandon Cantu. Just missing out of the final table were some other big name pros. Erik Seidel, Jennifer Harmen, John Phan and Scott Fischman would all place in the top 25.
Event #31: $1,500 No Limit Hold ‘Em
The smaller buy-in events attract larger fields usually and this would be no different. A total of 2,811 players all paid the $1,500 to compete for first. Heads up play would showcase former Main Event champion Joe Cada facing off against Carter Phillips. Cada would enter the final table as the short stack but gained momentum early and chipped up nicely. Phillips would prove too much to handle and went on to win his second bracelet and $664,130.
Other notable players finishing in the money were, JC Tran 12th, Ted Forrest 45th and James Aikenhead.
Event #32: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E.
This was the event everyone was waiting for and it did not disappoint. A total of 178 players ponied up the 10k to win their share of over $1.6 million. The end result would be a final table featuring this year’s star duo of Phil’s. Ivey was sitting at his astounding 5th final table of the year and Hellmuth was at his 3rd. Both are having an incredible run this year and it’s sure to go down as some of the best finishes in poker history. Not to be overlooked was John Monnette who is having himself an incredible WSOP as well. John would also be at his 3rd final of the year and already has one victory at the 2012 WSOP. If not for the two Phil’s hogging the spotlight, John would be one of the most talked about players this year.
Both Ivey and Helmuth would enter the final table in decent shape, but they could not overcome the play of David Bakes Baker. Baker would face Monnette heads up and would go back and forth before Baker finally won the bracelet and $451,779. Ivey would place 5th and Hellmuth 4th. Just missing out on one the toughest finals thus far were, Scott Clements 12th, John “World” Hennigan 13th, Bertrand Grospellier 16th and Eugene Katcholov 17th.
Event # 33: $1,000 No Limit Hold ‘Em
Max Steinberg would make his second final table in his short WSOP career. Last time he would be disappointed and come so close but finish runner-up. This time he would prevail over a field of 2,795 and take his first bracelet along with his biggest score to date of $440,238. He would go on to defeat Switzerland’s, Samuel Gerber in a long battle that saw the chip leads go back forth. This makes Steinberg’s second final table and 4th cash at the WSOP for the young internet pro. Were sure to hear his name being called for a long time to come.
Event # 34: $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha Six Max
Another record was set in the Omaha event as Noaya Kihara became the first Japanese citizen to win a bracelet at the WSOP. This is only Kiharas second cash in the WSOP but it sure was sweet. He bested a field of 419 players to win $512,029 along with the bracelet. Other notable names placing in the money were, David Benyamine 14th and Shaun Deeb 27th.
Event #35: $2,500 Mixed Hold ‘Em
A mixed event is when the betting switches from limit to no limit every other round. Players must excel at both forms and the player who would do both was Chris Tryba. The long time poker pro has had mediocre success over his career but could be considered one of the true grinders of his profession. He travels the circuits and spends over 150 days on the road all to play the game he loves.
Making another final table appearance in this event would be none other than Phil Ivey. He would not fair so well this time and wind up in 8th. Also placing in the money were, Huck Seed 19th, David Williams 30th, and internet icon, Randy “Nanonoko” Lew 36th.
Events running and upcoming
Event #36: $3,000 No Limit Shootout
This event will play down to a winner by the end of the day with only 10 players remaining. Antonio Esfandiari is 3rd in chips and figures to be the favorite.
Event #37: $2,500 Eight Game Mix
Only 27 players remain out of 477 in this event. Among them are, Barry Greenstein, Jeff Madsen, Steve Zolotow, Jennifer Harmen, Greg Mueller and Corey Zeidman. With so many tough pros, the final day is sure to be one to watch.
Event #38: $1,500 No Limit Hold ‘Em
This event started with 2,534 players and is down to 277. The chip leader at this point is bracelet winner Layne Flack. With plenty of play left we will see if the long time pro can keep his lead to the end.
Two other events started on 21st. Event #39: $10,000 Pot limit Omaha and Event #40: $1,500 No Limit Hold ‘Em. The 10k Omaha event should feature some of the best in the world and I personally look forward to this one.
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