World Series of Poker: Events #40-41

John Phan, a pro from Stockton, Calif., wins his second bracelet of the week by winning the World Series of Poker's Event #40 (Deuce to Seven Triple Draw Lowball).

Event #40, Deuce to Seven Triple Draw Lowball, $2,500 entry, 238 entrants

Ante Up guests
11. Greg Raymer, $9,579

Frank Gary, a 42-year-old retiree from Fort Myers, wins Event #41 (Mixed Hold'em).

Event #41, Mixed Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 731 entrants

No Ante Up Nationals, Ante Up guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed.

 

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 3 cashes, 0 bracelets, $34,013 prize money
Ante Up guests: 44 cashes, 2 bracelets, $2,404,722 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 25 cashes, 0 bracelets, $549,994 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

World Series of Poker: Event #39

David "The Magnificent" Woo, a 30-year-old pro from Atlanta, wins the World Series of Poker's Event #39 (No-Limit Hold'em). And congrats to Ante Upper/Ante Up guest Kenna James on his second cash of the series, and congrats to Barry Greenstein, who is closing in on the top spot in the Player of the Year race.

Event #39, No-Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 2,720 entrants

Ante Up Nationals
143. Kenna James, $3,527

Ante Up guests
108. Barry Greenstein, $4,084
143. Kenna James, $3,527

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 3 cashes, 0 bracelets, $34,013 prize money
Ante Up guests: 43 cashes, 2 bracelets, $2,395,0143 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 25 cashes, 0 bracelets, $549,994 prize money

World Series of Poker photo

World Series of Poker: Events #34-38

Layne Flack, a Las Vegas pro and the original poker crush of Mrs. Long, wins the World Series of Poker's Event #34 (Pot-Limit Omaha w/Rebuys).

Event #34, Pot-Limit Omaha w/Rebuys, $1,500 entry, 320 entrants

Ante Up guests
34. Clonie Gowen, $16,849

Mike Rocco, a 48-year-old Las Vegas pro, wins Event #35 (7-card stud).

Event #35, 7-card stud, $1,500 entry, 381 entrants

Ante Up guests
16. Chad Brown, $4,680
17. Charles Jett, $3,640

Jesper Hougaard, a 24-year-old pro from Copenhagen, Denmark, wins Event #36 (No-Limit Hold'em).

Event #36, No-Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 2,447 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
48. Howard Millian, New Port Richey, $9,018
93. Matthew Smith, Lithia, $4,676

David Benyamine, a well-known 35-year-old pro from Paris and Las Vegas, wins Event #37 (Omaha 8 World Championship).

Event #37, Omaha 8 World Championship, $10,000 entry, 235 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
No Ante Up Nationals, Ante Up guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed in Event #37.

Davidi Kitai, a 28-year-old economic analyst from Brussels, Belgium, wins Event #38 (Pot-Limit Hold'em).

Event #38, Pot-Limit Hold'em, $2,000 entry, 605 entrants

Ante Up guests
18. Eugene Todd, $8,808
34. Clonie Gowen, $5,505

Tampa Bay area players
15. Christopher Dombrowski, Dade City, $11,561
54. Veronica Castellana, Tampa, $4,074

 

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 2 cashes, 0 bracelets, $30,486 prize money
Ante Up guests: 41 cashes, 2 bracelets, $2,387,403 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 25 cashes, 0 bracelets, $549,994 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

Ante Up MeetUp Vegas: July 2

If you're going to be in Las Vegas on Wednesday, July 2, Fasso and I would love to meet you and play some cards.

Here are the details:

• When: 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 2
• Where: Imperial Palace poker room
• What: Still no confirmation from the IP poker room, but we'll ask for a private or semi-private mixed games table, likely with $3/$6 limits.

If you think you can make it, kindly post a comment here.

- SCOTT

World Series of Poker: Events #32-33

Luis Velador, a 44-year-old pro from Lake Elisnore, Calif., wins the World Series of Poker's Event #32 (No-Limit Hold'em).

Event #32, No-Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 2,304 entrants

No Ante Up Nationals, Ante Up guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed.

Sebastian Ruthenberg, a 24-year-old pro from Hamburg, Germany, wins Event #33 (7-Card Stud 8 World Championship.

Event #33, 7-Card Stud 8 World Championship, $10,000 entry, 261 entrants

Ante Up guests
14. Barry Greenstein, $18,400

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 2 cashes, 0 bracelets, $30,486 prize money
Ante Up guests: 36 cashes, 2 bracelets, $2,347,921 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 21 cashes, 0 bracelets, $520,665 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

World Series of Poker: Events #27 & 31

Dario Minieri, a 23-year-old pro from Italy who is fond of scarfs, denied the Tampa Bay area its first bracelet of the year when he outlasted Seth Fischer of Palm Harbor to win the World Series of Poker's Event #31 (Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em). But Manelic Minaya of Tampa cashes for the fifth time this Series, and Christopher Dombrowski of Dade City picks up yet another cash.

Event #31, Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em, $2,500 entry, 1,012 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
2. Seth Fischer, Palm Harbor, $330,519
37. Manelic Minaya, Tampa, $8,379
69. Christopher Dombrowski, Dade City, $4,655

Vitaly Lunkin, a 37-year-old businessman from Moscow, Russia, wins Event #27 (No-Limit Hold'em). 

Event #27, No-Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 2,706 entrants

Ante Up guests
37. Jean Robert Bellande, $10,711
78. Mark Seif, $6,279
158. Russell Fox, $3,509

Tampa Bay ares players
126. Joshua Bird, Dade City, $4,063

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 2 cashes, 0 bracelets, $30,486 prize money
Ante Up guests: 35 cashes, 2 bracelets, $2,329,521 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 21 cashes, 0 bracelets, $520,665 prize money

World Series of Poker photo

World Series of Poker: Events #28-30, Lee Childs cashes!

We haven't received results of Event #27 from the World Series of Poker yet (media mixup, we think), but here we go for Events #28-20. Congrats to Lee Childs in Event #29!

Phil Galfond, a 23-year-old pro from Madison, Wis., wins Event #28 (PLO).

Event #28, PLO w/rebuys, $5,000 entry, 152 entrants

Ante Up guests
4. Johnny Chan, $246,874
7. Daniel Negreanu, $123,437

John Phan, a 33-year-old pro from Stockton, Calif., wins Event #29 (No-Limit Hold'em). And, as mentioned, Lee Childs, who last year made the final table of the Main Event, cashes and Don Mullis of St. Pete Beach gets another cash.

Event #29, No-Limit Hold'em, $3,000 entry, 716 entrants

Ante Up Nationals
12. Lee Childs, Alexandria, Va., $24,702

Ante Up guests
12. Lee Childs, Alexandria, Va., $24,702

Tampa Bay area players
16. Dan Mullis, St. Pete Beach, $14,821

Rob Hollink, a 46-year-old pro from Groningen, Netherlands, wins Event #30 (Limit Hold'em World Championship). Andy Bloch continues his nice WSOP run as well.

Event #30, Limit Hold'em World Championship, $10,000 entry, 218 entrants

Ante Up guests
7. Andy Bloch, $81,968

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 2 cashes, 0 bracelets, $30,486 prize money
Ante Up guests: 32 cashes, 2 bracelets, $2,309,022 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 17 cashes, 0 bracelets, $173,049 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

World Series of Poker: Events #21-26

Scott Seiver, a 23-year-old pro from Las Vegas, wins Event #21 (no-limit hold'em) of the World Series of Poker. Manelic Minaya of Tampa cashes in his third event of the Series.

Event #21, No-Limit Hold'em, $5,000 entry, 731 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
42. Manelic Minaya, Tampa, $12,712

Jens Voertmann, a 38-year-old pro from Dortmund, Germany, wins Event #22 (HORSE).

Event #22, HORSE, $3,000 entry, 414 entrants

Ante Up guests
8. Jennifer Harman, $30,851
20. Tom Schneider, $7,998

Blair Hinkle, a 22-year-old pro from Kansas City, Mo., and the brother of the winner of Event #2, wins  Event #23 (no-limit hold'em).

Event #23, No-Limit Hold'em, $2,000 entry, 1,344 entrants

Ante Up guests
46. Barry Greenstein, $7,582

Tampa Bay area players
24. Christopher Dombrowski, Dade City, $13,208

Max Pescatori, a well-known 37-year-old pro from Milan, Italy, wins Event #24 (Pot-Limit Omaha/Pot-Limit Hold'em).

Event #24, Pot-Limit Omaha/Pot-Limit Hold'em, $2,500 entry, 457 entrants

Ante Up guests
No Ante Up Nationals, Ante Up guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed in Event #24.

 

Kenny Tran, a well-known pro from Arcadia, Calif, wins Event #25 (Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em World Championship).

Event #25, Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em World Championship, $10,000 entry, 256 entrants

Ante Up guests
35. Justin Bonomo, $14,438
60. Clonie Gowen, $14,438

Barry Greenstein wins the second bracelet of the year for the Ante Up guests with his victory in Event #26 (Razz). Manelic Minaya of Tampa cashes in his fourth event of the Series.

Event #26, Razz, $1,500 entry, 453 entrants

Ante Up guests
1. Barry Greenstein, $158,659
12. Tom Schneider, $10,202

 

Tampa Bay area players
37. Manelic Minaya, Tampa, $2,473

Toteboard note: Sharkey's right - my apologies. Got so wrapped up in mechanically updating the results that I didn't think to include Kenna James' cash in the Ante Up Nation totals. Sorry, KJ, and congrats again!

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 1 cash, 0 bracelets, $5,784 prize money
Ante Up guests: 28 cashes, 2 bracelets, $1,832,041 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 16 cashes, 0 bracelets, $158,228 prize money

World Series of Poker photo

World Series of Poker: Events #18-20

Michael "The Mouth" Matusow wins Event #18 (No-Limit 2-7 Lowball). The good folks at the WSOP didn't send us a picture of him, but you all know what he looks like. Chad Brown continues his great WSOP '08 run as part of a trifecta of Ante Up guests to cash.

Event #18, No-Limit 2-7 Lowball, $5,000 entry, 85 entrants

Ante Up guests
3. Barry Greenstein, $225,552
5. Tom Schneider, $104,101
11. Chad Brown, $34,700

Vanessa Selbst, a 23-year-old law school student and pro from Brooklyn, N.Y., wins Event #19 (Pot-Limit Omaha). 

Event #19, Pot-Limit Omaha, $1,500 entry, 759 entrants

Ante Up guests
5. Eugene Todd, $59,054

Daniel Negreanu wins the first bracelet for our tally this year, bringing home the bling for Ante Up guests in Event #20 (Limit Hold'em). No photo sent of him, either. We're guessing the WSOP knows we know what the celebrity pros look like, so no need to hog bandwith by sending us snapshots of them. 

Event #20, Limit Hold'em, $2,000 entry, 480 entrants

Ante Up guests
1. Daniel Negreanu, $204,863

 

 

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 21 cashes, 1 bracelet, $1,587,873 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 13 cashes, 0 bracelets, $129,835 prize money

World Series of Poker photo

Episode #157: Chris in Connecticut

MAIN TOPIC
Chris calls in from the land of pink carpet and princesses (can't make that up if I wanted to) to give us the lowdown on Mohegan Sun's new electronic-only poker room (live poker returns Sept. 1) and his usual ringing endorsement of Foxwoods. Click here to listen to the show.

OTHER TOPICS

World Series of Poker: Kenna James cashes, Jerry Buss busts in time to catch his Lakers, another Man vs. Machine is scheduled and a doctor abandons his stack to help a fallen player.

Mixed games mania: The Imperial Palace in Vegas is dealing a $3/$6 limit mixed game at 7 p.m. on Sundays. Some crazzzzzy games being offered. We love it.

Gas up at the Commerce: Commerce Casino in L.A. is randomly dropping $50 gas cards into poker pots in July.

Sinatra's home game: Who played in it? It was a fun one: Jack Lemmon, Angie Dickinson, Gregory Peck and more.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: The Seminole Hard Rock Tampa bad beat jackpot is hit for $564,912. Glen Upchurch of Clearwater wins $282,452 for his losing quad 6s, while William Lewicke of Winter Haven takes $141,227 (and the pot) with a straight flush. The other eight players at the table won $17,654 each.

One Minute Mystery: We make the call, and take down the pot when our opponent shows K-6 for top pair, weaker kicker.

HAND OF THE WEEK
It's a Crazy Pineapple hand! Dan, a fellow journalist from Greeley, Colo., offers us a home game no-limit high-only hand with loose players who have been hitting the sauce.

He's dealt K-K-7, pops it 5x and gets two callers. The flop is K-8-6, two spades, and Dan bets pot but can't shake either opponent. He dumps the 7, and the turn is an Ace. With just $5 left, he checks (Chris would have pushed, I kinda like the misdirection), but one opponent bets $2 and both players call. The river is a 6, completing the flush but also filling Dan up. He gets it all-in and takes down a nice pot against two smaller boats.

- SCOTT

World Series of Poker: Events #15-17

Svetlana Gromenkova of New York wins the World Series of Poker's Event #15 (Ladies World Championship).

Event #15, Ladies World Poker Championship, $1,000 entry, 1,190 entrants

No Ante Up Nationals, Ante Up guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed in this event.

Andrew Brown, a 26-year-old pro from New York, N.Y., wins Event #16 (Omaha 8).

Event #16, Omaha 8, $2,000 entry, 553 entrants

No Ante Up Nationals, Ante Up guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed in this event.

Jason Young, a 26-year-old pro from Suffern, N.Y., wins Event #17 (No-Limit Hold'em shootout). Don Baruch, the Tampa Ante Upper who won the bracelet in this event last year, entered but did not cash, but William Burdick of St. Petersburg picks up his second cash of the Series.

Event #17, No-Limit Hold'em Shootout, $1,500 entry, 1,000 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
52. William Burdick, St. Petersburg, $5,596

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 16 cashes, 0 bracelets, $959,603 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 13 cashes, 0 bracelets, $129,835 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

World Series of Poker: Events #13 & 14

Duncan "Pumper" Bell, a 32-year-old pro from Vancouver, B.C., wins the World Series of Poker's Event #13 (no-limit hold'em), and the ultimate friend of Ante Up Kenna James gets his first cash of the Series.

Event #13, No-Limit Hold'em, $2,500 entry, 1,395 entrants

Ante up guests
96. Kenna James, $5,784

Eric Brooks, a 48-year-old business owner from Bryn Mawr, Pa., wins Event #14 (7-Card Stud World Championship).

Event #14, 7-Card Stud World Championship, $10,000 entry, 158 entrants

Ante up guests
11. Daniel Negreanu, $33,417

 

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 16 cashes, 0 bracelets, $959,603 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 12 cashes, 0 bracelets, $124,239 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

World Series of Poker: Events #7-12

Matt Keikoan, a 40-year old pro, won the World Series of Poker's Event #7 (no-limit hold'em), and Manelic Minaya of Tampa picks up his second cash of the Series.

Event #7, No-Limit Hold'em, $2,000 entry, 1,592 entrants
Tampa Bay area players
10. Manelic Minaya, Tampa, $33,321
35. Michael Scott, Tampa, $11,590

Anthony Rivera, a 22-year-old pro from Las Vegas, won the new and highly anticipated Event #8 (World Championship Mixed Event). 

Event #8, World Championship Mixed Event, $10,000 entry, 192 entrants

Ante Up guests

12. Tom Schneider, $36,096

13. Johnny Chan, $27,072

23. Chad Brown, $16,243

Rep Porter, a 37-year-old pro from Woodinville, Wash., won Event #9 (no-limit hold'em six-handed). George Bronstein of Lutz cashed for the second time this year in that event.

Event #9, No-Limit Hold'em Six-Handed, $1,500 entry, 1,236 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
47. William Burdick, St. Petersburg, $4,893
94. "Dangerous" Don Mullis, St. Pete Beach, $2,531
103. George Bronstein, Lutz, $2,531

Farzad "Freddy" Rouhani, a 44-year-old pro from Germantown, Md., won Event #10 (Omaha 8/Stud 8 split).

Event #10, Omaha 8/Stud 8 split, $2,500 entry, 388 entrants

 

Tampa Bay area players
6. John Racener, Tampa, $37,481

Phillip Tom, a 55-year-old financial adviser and investor from Las Vegas, wins Event #11 (no-limit hold'em shootout).

Event #11, No-Limit Hold'em Shootout, $5,000 entry, 360 entrants

 

Ante up guests
29. Joe Sebok, $16,920

Jimmy Shultz, a 37-year-old mortgage broker from Columbus, Ohio, wins Event $12 (limit hold'em).

Event #12, Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 883 entrants

 

 

Ante up guests
64. Tom Schneider, $3,243

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 14 cashes, 0 bracelets, $920,402 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 12 cashes, 0 bracelets, $124,239 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

World Series of Poker: Events #5 & #6

Michael Banducci (first photo), a 23-year-old pro from Traverse City, Mich., wins the World Series of Poker's Event #5 (No-Limit Hold'em w/rebuys), while Thang Luu (second photo), a 33-year-old pro from Las Vegas, wins Event #6 (Omaha 8).

Event #5, No-Limit Hold'em with Rebuys, $1,000 entry, 766 entrants

Ante Up guests
15. Clonie Gowen, $28,940
22. Daniel Negreanu, $16,496
34. Chad Brown, $13,602

Event #6, Omaha 8, $1,500 entry, 833 entrants

No Ante Up Nationals, guests or Tampa Bay area players cashed.

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 9 cashes, 0 bracelets, $820,828 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 6 cashes, 0 bracelets, $31,892 prize money

World Series of Poker photos

Episode #156: AJ Benza

MAIN TOPIC
AJ Benza calls us all the way from Hollywood as he waits for the unlikely news that GSN will pick up High Stakes Poker, the hugely popular show he co-hosts with Gabe Kaplan, for another season. We talk cards, and he dishes on celebrities, pasta and The Godfather. Click here to listen to the episode.

OTHER TOPICS

World Series: The WSOP has begun. Attendance is breaking records, and pros are faring well. We'll update the blog after each event when the WSOP certifies the results as official.

UB scandal: Many of you asked us to address the latest scandal at Ultimate Bet. We do, but caution again: online poker is the wild, wild West.

PPA ups the ante: The Poker Players Alliance wants to turn its free members into dues-paying members by offering perks for those who do.

Deadbeat dads: If you're a parent who's walked on out child support, shame on you. But if you have no shame, you might want to avoid casinos in Colorado and West Virginia. Those states will look for you there.

Hotline: We have a little fun with Mike from New Jersey, who finds out how hard it is to analyze a hand on the fly.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: Derby Lane is sending four players to the WSOP. Good luck to them, and all the other bay area players who have or will qualify in local card rooms.

HAND OF THE WEEK
Adam from Dedham, Mass., gives us an excuse to revisit strategy for FullTilt's cheap Knockout tournaments, where you get money for each person you felt. He calls a raise with As-10s, and the flops a royal flush draw. Try to take it down quickly? Or wait to hit your hand, figuring that early in a tournament like this you'll get paid off? He chooses the latter and is put to the test when he doesn't improve on the turn but two players move all-in. He calls, hits and goes on to cash - picking up bounties along the way.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW
Chris is on the road, and unlike Scott who goes to wild and exotic and different locations on each vacation, he's going back to Connecticut yet again. Let's hope he has time to make it over to Foxwoods and even Mohegan Sun.

- SCOTT

World Series of Poker: Events #3&4

World Series of Poker photos

Events #3 and #4 of the World Series of Poker belonged to the pros. David Singer, left, wins Event #3 (Pot-Limit Hold'em), while Erick Lindgren, above, wins Event #4 (mixed hold'em).

Event #3, Pot-Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 713 entrants

Ante Up guests
32. Eugene Todd, $4,574

Tampa Bay area players
23. Anthony Keshish, Tampa, $5,547
62. George Bronstein, Lutz, $3,017

Event #4, Mixed Hold'em, $5,000 entry, 332 entrants

Ante Up guests
2. Justin Bonomo, $230,159
16. Andy Bloch, $15,604
26. Michael Craig, $12,483
32. Mori Eskandani, $10,922

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 6 cashes, 0 bracelets, $761,790 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 6 cashes, 0 bracelets, $31,892 prize money

World Series of Poker: Event #2

Grant Hinkle, a 27-year-old marketing manager from Kansas City, Mo., won the World Series of Poker's Event #2 (No-Limit Hold'em), which was the largest non-Main Event tournament in history with 3,929 entries.

Event #2, No-Limit Hold'em, $1,500 entry, 3,929 entrants

Tampa Bay area players
75. Jon Heneghan, Safety Harbor, $8,044
89. Manelic Minaya, Tampa, $6,972
164. Christopher Elderkin, Apollo Beach, $4,290
202. Michael Elderkin Jr., Apollo Beach, $4,022

Ante Up WSOP totals

Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 1 cash, 0 bracelets, $488,048 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 4 cashes, 0 bracelets, $23,328 prize money

World Series of Poker photo

World Series of Poker: Event #1

The World Series of Poker is off and running in Las Vegas, and just like last year, we'll post the names of Ante Up Nationals, guests and Tampa Bay area players who cash in each event.

Last year, Ante Up Nationals had six cashes, one bracelet and $999,366 prize money, highlighted by Lee Childs' final table appearance in the Main Event. Ante Up guests cashed 29 times, won one bracelet and pocketed $1,079,837 in prize money - Barry Greenstein led the pack with four cashes. And Tampa Bay area players had 42 cashes, one bracelet and brought $868,575 prize money back to the local poker economy. Ante Upper Don Baruch of Tampa won a bracelet in the Shootout event.

Nenad Medic, left, of Niagara Falls, Canada, was the winner of the first bracelet in Event #1 this year:

Event #1, Pot-Limit Hold'em World Championship, $10,000 entry, 352 entrants

Ante Up guests
2. Andy Bloch, $488,048

 Ante Up WSOP totals
Ante Up Nation: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money
Ante Up guests: 1 cash, 0 bracelets, $488,048 prize money
Tampa Bay area players: 0 cashes, 0 bracelets, $0 prize money

World Series of Poker photo

Episode #155: Poker music

MAIN TOPIC
St. Pete Times pop music critic Sean Daly, who also co-hosts the Stuck in the '80s podcast, rocks our studio to talk about the best music to play for your home game and the best tunes to fire up your iPod with at the tournament table. Click here to listen to the show.

OTHER TOPICS
We're TV stars: If you missed our appearance on TV this week, here's your chance to catch it.

AIPS: Congrats again to rascony for winning the wild, wild rebuy event. Remember, razz is next!

WSOP: The World Series of Poker gets started on Friday with a $10,000 World Championship event (pot-limit hold'em). An eco-friendly poker table will be on display this year, and we wonder aloud about the quality of dealers in Vegas for the next couple of months with a bouquet of other tournament series in town at the same time.

Hotline: PokerGeek says Ante Up helped him through recent tornadoes in Minnesota (glad to hear everyone is alright), and Sharkey gets his aces cracked.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: The bad beat jackpot at the Seminole Hard Rock casino in Tampa is north of $400K, and One-Eyed Jack's in Sarasota is launching new WSOP guarantee tournaments.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo gets cold feet and checks his A-7 down. Good thing. His opponent had played 9-9 - poorly.

HAND OF THE WEEK
Nicholas from Australia sends us a stud8 hand where he starts with buried aces and a 6 door card. He caps the action on 3rd Street, pairs his 6 on Fourth but can't chase anyone away.

It's bricks around on Fifth, and it's bet, call, call. But on Sixth, the original frisky bettor pairs his door card (7) and the action gets capped. On 7th, everyone slows down, which is good for our hero, who loses the high half of the pot to Aces and sevens. Ouch.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW
TBA

- SCOTT

Episode #153: Justin Bonomo

JustinBonomo.com

MAIN TOPIC
Pro Justin Bonomo, aka "ZeeJustin," gives us a ring to talk about his meteoric rise in the poker world, his string of recent final tables, his new affiliation with Team Bodog and, yes, his past and how he's dealing with it. Click here to listen to the show.

OTHER TOPICS

Race for the Hundy: Chris is still out of breath from his prop bet win against Fasso. If you missed it, check out the story and video.

AIPS: Event #5 (NL hold'em rebuy) is just a week away. Click here for all the details.

MySpace poker: That's right - this hideously hard site to read has started a poker room. You can even order virtual beers. (Well, not Chris. He's doesn't even drink virtual booze).

Trump does it again: This time, The Donald will install 12 electronic poker tables in the Trump Plaza in Atlantic City by June. Booooooo!

Get your stock on: CNBC has launched a stock-picking contest. One of the prizes? A seat in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event.

More on the WSOP delay: Scott is hung up on just how success or failure will be determined in the World Series' biggest gimmick of the year. Give it up. (Or, keep the debate alive).

Hotline: A caller lets us know of a soccer player named Ante Razov. Close, but no banana ...  and Roger calls in to let us know we can catch NBC's National Heads-Up Poker Championship on the Internet.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: Help out a good cause and get a legitimate reason to say "boobs" by participating in the Bikers4Boobs & Walkers4Boobs Poker Run and 5K Walk on June 8. Click here for the details.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo is on vacation, no doubt solving a crime. He'll be back soon.

HAND OF THE WEEK
Alright, we took a chance (you know what that means). It was our first single-draw no-limit 2-7 lowball HOTW. Neither Chris nor I nor Justin, who stuck around to help us out, have played this version of lowball.

Jan, an Ante Upper playing in a loose 5-person dealer's choice low-limit home game, is in the big blind with 2-3-4 and two paint cards. Everyone limps, and Jan checks. The small blind draws three, Jan two and the rest of players: two, two, three.

Jan improves to 8-7-4-3-2, and after the small blind checks, he bets 6 units into a 5-unit pot. He gets one caller, and then the small blind check-raises to 20 units.

The bet smelled fishy to us, and Jan called, just as we would have. Good move. His 8-7 beat his opponent's rougher 8-7.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW
TBA, but in two weeks, St. Pete Times' rockin' music critic Sean Daly joins us to talk about music and poker.

- SCOTT

How will success be determined in the WSOP's delayed final table?

Argue if you will over whether the World Series of Poker was right in deciding to delay this year's Main Event final table for 117 days, but a more interesting debate I think is:

How will delay's success or failure be judged?

I'm a fan of WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack. A reasonable debate can be had over whether his, and Harrah's, aggressive commercialization of the WSOP is fuel for poker's continued popularity or a tragedy to tradition, but I don't think you can debate whether he listens to players and acts quickly on their suggestions.

Case in point: The tent used for some of the events last year is gone this year. Folks didn't like it, and he figured out a solution. But in that example, failure was easy to diagnose. Players - lots of them - grumbled loudly about the playing conditions.

But what's the benchmark for success or, more importantly, failure of the final table delay?

Will a mass outcry of opposition from players be as convincing when in reality only nine players - not the hundreds like in the tent example - are affected? And how many of the nine will have to argue against it for their concerns to carry weight?

Short of ESPN saying, "Hey, we didn't get the ratings we were hoping for," or a PR nightmare if one of the nine finalists doesn't make it the final table (death, visa holdup, etc.), do see any way at all this experiment can possibly be labeled a failure by WSOP officials?

- SCOTT

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

WSOP delays final table

It's official: The World Series of Poker will delay the final table of this year's Main Event for 117 days - from its originally scheduled July 16 date to Nov. 9, with the final two players returning Nov. 10 to finish it off. The final table episode will air at 9 p.m. on Nov. 11 on ESPN.

WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack, pictured, and Tournament Director Jack Effel are hosting a media conference call this afternoon, which Chris and I will listen in to. We're also collecting comments from pros, and all of it will be on this week's show.

- SCOTT

Episode #150: More poker camps

MAIN TOPIC
Chris steered the Family Truckster over to Orlando to check in on our good friend Kenna James and the Amateur Poker League. While there, he nabbed some great interviews about poker camps with Steve Berman, co-founder of the WPT Boot Camp, and online pro Nick Brancato. Be sure to check out Ante Upper Lee Childs' new Web site, too. Click here to hear the show.

OTHER TOPICS

Texas Hold'em Plus: The Mirage in Las Vegas is testing this new variation. Don't like one of your hole cards? Simply slide it with a chip equal to the small blind to the dealer and you'll get a shiny new card.

PPA update: The Poker Players Alliance (now with more than 1,000,000 members) has formed a new political action committee called PokerPAC.

Housekeeping: Starting next week, Ante Up! will be posted to the Web on Thursdays ... And listen to the show on Rounders Radio on Saturdays ... Don't forget about AIPS this Saturday and on May 22 ... Join Fasso and me in Las Vegas during the World Series of Poker. Click here for early details.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: A One-Eyed Jack's regular wins a huge pot o' gold in Europe ... Florida Senate Bill 1006 would expand hours for cardrooms and allow for high-stakes and charity/celebrity tournaments, but don't get excited, as it's stalled in the House.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo decides he's likely beat, so he mucks his second pair. Turns out, his opponent was on a brazen bluff with a weak flush draw and gutter.

HAND OF THE WEEK
An anonymous caller rings in to tell us about a no-limit hand where he called a min raise with 7-3 in the big blind and saw a pretty darn nice flop of 7-7-7. He got his opponent to bet the entire way, taking down a very nice pot. Getting paid off on a monster is one of the hardest things to do in poker. We share some tips.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW
Until Chris changes his mind again, it'll be our rescheduled Dissection of a HORSE Tournament.

- SCOTT

Ante Up! Vegas MeetUp: July 2

Fasso and I have booked our World Series of Poker trips, and we've tentatively set Wednesday, July 2, as the night of the Ante Up! WSOP MeetUp.

We'll firm up details closer to the date, but we'll likely try to get a private table at Binion's again. If you're going to be in Vegas that week, swing by and say hi.

- SCOTT

Tournament disqualification: Agree?

If you don't subscribe to poker magazines then you might not know about this incident. Recently a player was disqualified at the final table of the WSOP Circuit event at Caesars in Atlantic City. The player in question was Lesley S. Thornburg of Richmond, Va. He was warned twice for unsportsmanlike conduct. According to numerous sources, the straw that broke the camel's back was when he shoved half of his chips into the pot then later declared all-in. You can read one of the articles here. He was chipleader at the time, but they removed his chips and gave him fifth-place money ($19K).

What do you think of this? Should this guy be eliminated because he's obnoxious? He was chipleader! THink about how many obnoxious people are in poker and we see them act like idiots on TV all of the time. When you sign up for a tournament, do they tell you this? Have you ever been to a tournament where they tell you (at any point) "If you act like an idiot repeatedly we'll throw you out and take your chips out of play?" Has the dealer or tournament director ever announced at the start of a tournament that numerous penalties could result in your ejection?

I'm not going to say how I feel just yet because I'd like to read some opinions on this. Also, if he WASN'T in the money, would he have gotten his buy-in back?

-- Chris

Episode #148: Delay the WSOP Final Table?

MAIN TOPIC

It's just a rumor, but hey, that's what rumors are for - to debate endlessly. Chris and I take a point-counterpoint approach to whether Harrah's should consider delaying the final table of the World Series of Poker's Main Event for 90 days. I chose the right side, and Chris chose "in favor." And the only Ante Upper to play in a WSOP Main Event Final Table, Lee Childs, calls in with his opinion. Click here to hear the show.

OTHER TOPICS

New host for Poker After Dark: It's LeeAnn Tweeden, who also hosts NBC's National Heads-Up Championship, which begins airing this weekend.

CardPlayer tidbits: Take a tour of Phil Hellmuth's house (he has heated floors in his office!), get a glimpse of Larry Flynt's high-limit stud game at the Hustler Casino and tipping is back in the news.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: One-Eyed Jack's is holding new Friday night WSOP qualifiers, and the Top Jack at OEJ's, Sam Minutello, is once again running the charity tournament at the Playboy Mansion.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo is taking a well-deserved break and will return soon.

HAND OF THE WEEK

Jerry (loser64) offers up a $1/$3 no-limit hold'em cash game hand from Sam's Town in Tunica, Miss.

The under-the-gun player is a retired local with $250, and the small blind is a maniac with $180. Jerry is in mid to late position with $95.

UTG makes it $9 to go, and Jerry and the SB call.

The flop: 2d-2s-3h

SB bets out $10, UTG and Jerry call.

The turn: 9h

SB bets out $10 again, UTG raises to $35, Jerry and the SB call.

The river: Kc

SB bets $35, UTG raises to $70 and Jerry calls. SB folds, saying he had 7-7.

UTG turns over 3-3 for a flopped boat.

NEXT WEEK'S SHOW

Scott calls in live from Las Vegas!

- SCOTT

WSOP ME final table discussion

If you haven't heard already, there's a discussion of postponing the World Series Main Event final table for up to 90 days. Why? Well, MONEY is the real reason, but it's being touted as a way to keep the suspense. No one would know who the winner is before it's aired. The postponement allows ESPN to air all of the leading-up episodes and then they would record the final table 90 days later, keep everyone involved to sworn secrecy, do a quick edit and then air it semi-live a few days later.

Scott and I have decided to change gears and do a POINT-COUNTERPOINT show this week on this topic. But we'd love to hear from you. Either call our toll-free Hotline (866-371-9605), comment here, or email us at poker@tampabay.com. Your contribution could make it on our show and you'll be immortalized! Your friends will envy you and your mom will finally think you're doing something productive with your life.

-- Chris

Episode #147: Joe Navarro returns

MAIN TOPIC

Ex-FBI agent Joe Navarro, our favorite expert on nonverbal communication, swings by the studio again to dish on some more tells you should look for at the poker table (hint: look at the thumbs). He has a new book, What Every Body Is Saying, and is still heavy on the poker academy circuit. Click here to hear the show.

OTHER TOPICS

Chris gets a gift: Annie Duke's book has made it to the Dollar Tree!

Chris gets a scoop: So, have you heard about the high-stakes poker player who has been using high-priced call girls? You'll never believe who it was.

Chris gets a lawyer: Well, not yet, but he and other members of the Poker Players Alliance can now get legal advice on poker laws in their hometowns through the PPA's Litigation Support Network.

Chris goes to Washington: Well, again, not yet, but if he had, he would have heard testimony on Capitol Hill this week about how the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act is a bear to enforce. Ante Upper Short-Stacked Shamus covered the hearings, and he also has a new podcast.

Chris gets a bracelet: Okay, now I'm really stretching the fantasy. But if he wants a bracelet, Harrah's says cash buy-ins to the World Series of Poker this year of $3,000 or more will have to come with a Social Security or Tax ID number. Also, the Golden Nugget plans a monthlong tournament during the World Series, and check out David Matthews' blog Gambling in Space for some good reviews of Vegas card rooms.

Hotline: StatikKling is relieved to learn that our Omaha analogy was to a stool, not, um, stool. And John from Texas wants to know how people fit all those multitabling tables on their computer screen.

Tampa Bay Poker Replay: The Florida Senate has passed a bill allowing quarter horse racing, which could lead to several new Florida poker rooms if the House and governor go along with it. One-Eyed Jack's is now running Daily Doubles, and help out the students at St. Petersburg Catholic High School by playing in their $200 charity tournament.

One Minute Mystery: Columbo makes the call with his rivered wheel on a board that has flush possibilities, and is rewarded for his bravery as his opponent had just two pair.

HAND OF THE WEEK

Alan (aka BigAl) sends us a hand from a $2/$5 no-limit cash game from Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls.

An early position player, new to the table and believed to be tight aggressive, bumps it to $20, and Alan calls with Js-Jc. The loose button calls as well.

The flop: 3h-Ks-6c.

The raiser bets out $30, Alan calls and the button folds.

The turn: Ac.

Check-check.

The river: Ah

Raiser bets $30 into the $127 pot, Alan calls and takes down the pot against pocket 9s.