Episode #151: World Series of Poker preview

MAIN TOPIC

Responding to the day's big story, we called an audible and devoted this show to a look-ahead to the upcoming World Series of Poker, which begins May 30, and the announcement that the final table of the Main Event will be delayed 117 days to build anticipation. We summarize a media conference call led by WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack, and also include a recording of that entire call at the end of the show. Click here to listen to the show.

OTHER TOPICS

Sweden doesn't mess around: Two guys who lacked the proper permits to host a poker tournament in Sweden have six to eight months to reflect on that mistake - in a Swedish jail.

Hotline: Listener BitGuru calls in with a buffet of comments, including a question about whether the Mirage keeps those dollars they collect from the Texas Hold'em Plus redraws. Nope - they go straight into the pot.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: I ventured out to Lucky's at Tampa Greyhound Track, and was surprised to find not one limit game going at all, and that you can buy into the $1/$2 no-limit for as little as $20. If you're in a charitable mood, help out the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hernando County in a $100 tournament on May 18. For details, call (727) 233-1018.

HAND OF THE WEEK

A new listener Trey writes in with a hand from Ante Up!'s official game - razz.

He starts perfect - 2/3 underneath, with an Ace up. He completes, gets raised and reraises. We like it so far.

On Fourth Street, he picks up a 7 and keeps the pressure on. A Q/6 and a 3/8 come along.

On Fifth Street, the bricks start falling. He gets a J, keeps the pressure on, but can't shake the Q/6/4 or 3/8/K.

On Sixth Street, it's a mixed bag. He gets a 9, but the 3/8/K/5 is stubborn.

The river improves him to an 8 low, and he's lucky he's not raised by his opponent, who takes down the pot with a 7-5.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

We're beginning to sound a little like Jimmy Kimmel ("... our apologies to Matt Damon") each week as we delay yet again our Dissection of a HORSE Tournament show. We'll try again next week.

- SCOTT

Comments

[Brett Otte]

I work for Verizon, so if you need somethin' you lemme know.

[Thornado]

The problem wasn't really that they lacked the proper permits to host a tournament. The problem is that unless you are the government, it is not possible to get such permits (the only totally legal live games in Sweden are at the government run casinos... this is why some tournaments like the Swedish Poker Championships are being held in Estonia).

[Chi-Guy]

Great show guys! I was shocked when my iTunes started downloading the show a night early! What am I going to do at work this afternoon now that I am through Ante-up. I guess I'll have to subscribe to "Stuck in the 80's."

Very nicely answered questions on the hour long conference call. A couple good dodges and it was very clear that the intentions were to build marketing and that is all. I'm still torn on the issue but I trust their judgment.

Brian

[Gary]

halfway thru listening to the show. and thought of another advantage that the pros would have that the amateurs wouldnt.

Pros already have the fans asking for autographs,pressure from the press and that.

for an amateur, would be hard to deal with the new found notority.

Myself I would have be like leave me alone.

and i think of Chris comment about when he was out to dinner with kenna. with the autograpghs and that.. Could you imagine how grumpy chris would be.. .lol

[AZslick]

There is only one way the delay could be good for all the players. If they sent them all home with the ninth place money and then they could come back and play for the rest. I wouldn't want to go back to my nine to five knowing that I wouldn't have to be there if I had my ninth place money. I also think that big mo will switch, if I would have the momentum I wouldn't want to wait to see if that extra time was going to make a difference. If I was in the zone, I want to stay in the zone.

As Always with Pocket Aces

[Christopher Cosenza]

They do get the ninth place money. We've reported that before and again in this episode. The remainder of the cash gets put in an interest-bearing account during those 117 days and when they come back they will get all of that money put back in the prize pool.