Feb
22
by Chad Holloway
I recently returned from a visit to Tunica, Mississippi for the World Series of Poker Circuit stop being held at Harrah’s. As usual, the trip was on poker news business, but really they always turn out to be working vacations. This was my first time in Tunica and I must say I was pretty impressed. The shuttle from the Memphis airport was pleasant and the customer service made a positive impression on me. I could tell right away that I was going to enjoy myself.
The first thing I did when I got there was check-in, put my bags down, and then headed to the poker room. It was a Saturday night, so Harrah’s Tunica poker room was in full swing. I only played a short two-hour session at a $2-$5 hold’em game before my PokerNews colleague, Mickey Doft, arrived. I left the game with my buy-in plus an extra $1 chip as a souvenir (something I take from every casino I play at). It was lights out early that night to be prepared for the start of the WSOP-C $1,500 Main Event in the morning. Unfortunately, I wasn’t playing but rather live reporting the tournament action for PokerNews.com (which powers the WSOP.com updates as well).
The Main Event drew 480 entrants and created a prize pool of $698,400. The biggest name in the field was Dwyte Pilgrim, who I find to always be friendly and upbeat whenever I see him on the circuit. Also in the field were regulars Kevin Calenzo, Chris Tryba, Maurice Hawkins, Stephen Kats, and many more. Day 1 was grueling and by the time it was done at around 2 AM, I was beat. No poker for me on Sunday night.
Monday’s Day 2 was much better. The field was smaller and more manageable, making my job a hell of a lot easier. Plus, I had the best tournament reporter in the business, talking of course about Doft, working alongside me. By midnight, the field had reduced itself to a final table and action came to a halt. That meant it was time for some poker. I hit up the poker room at Harrah’s yet again for a little $2-$5 action and I wasn’t disappointed. There was a maniac at my table who threw around money like a Saudi prince in Vegas. I mean this guy would raise $70 under the gun without looking at his cards. He’d follow that up with a blind bet in the dark for anyone who called him, sometimes for as much as $300. I was licking my chops and decided to pick my spots carefully. Unfortunately, those spots did not come often. The one time I picked up aces and limped from early position, no one raised behind and I won a small pot. I managed to win a little, which was nice, but I still felt I missed out on a lot of value. I ended up leaving the game a little after five in the morning in order to get a little rest.
The next day the final table commenced and took around seven hours to complete. During that time, I witnessed the biggest meltdown I’ve ever seen in poker. Kurt Jewell, who won the Main Event of the WSOP-C Hammond stop, entered the final table as one of the big stacks. After clashing with the chip leader, Jewell amassed 4.7 million in chips, about 50% of the chips in play. This was when there were still nine players left. Ninety minutes later, or a little over one level, Jewell was out in eighth place. No one could believe it. His downfall was a mix of lost coinflips, tilt, and frustration. If you want more specifics on what exactly happened, check out the PokerNews live reporting blog. In the end, here is how the final table played out:
Place - Player - Hometown - Winnings
1st - Sam Barnhart - Little Rock, AR - $148,612
2nd - Jesse White - Billings, MT - $91,881
3rd - Mary Harden - Ooltewah, TN - $67,122
4th - Brian Burney - Branson, MO - $49,759
5th - Marco Palacios - Austin, TX - $37,422
6th - John Nguyen - Fairview Heights, IL - $28,547
7th - Preston Derden - Houston, TX - $22,084
8th - Kurt Jewell - Frankfurt, KY - $17,328
9th - John Holley - Destin, FL - $13,789
Once the final table was done, Doft and I decided to catch a shuttle to the Horseshoe Casino to check out their poker room. I always enjoy the Horseshoe properties and this was no different. Outside was a bad-ass, old-school, bright-red limousine that caught my eye (Pictured below).
When we got to the poker room, I must say that I was impressed. They had a $1-$5 Stud game going, which surprised me. I usually don’t play games that small, but I hadn’t played Stud in years and was looking to have a fun, relaxing night. A cheap game and free drinks was the perfect combination. After getting taken for $55 in the Stud game, while throwing a few back, I changed to a $1-$3 no-limit hold’em game and promptly won my money back plus $100. Then, on my very last hand as I was racking up, I looked down at pocket kings and won a nice pot against a played with a missed flush draw and another with pocket queens. Tripling my profit before I left was a nice parting gift. I’ll definitely hit up the Horseshoe the next time I’m in Tunica. Lisa Crompton is the poker room manager there and she is doing a heck of a job. The players are well taken care of, the dealers are friendly, and there was a variety of games and tournaments to be had. They even had an announcement of Barnhart’s Main Event win since he is a regular in the room. I thought that was a classy thing to do in recognition of his achievement.
The next day I flew back home, or at least halfway home. My flight got cancelled in Chicago due to fog, so I had to get a ride from Chicago back home to south-central Wisconsin, about a three hour drive. Aside from the ending, the trip was fun. Good tournament, good people, and I came home with more than I left with. I hope I can do that in April when I head to the WSOP-C St. Louis stop where I will not only be reporting on the Main Event for PokerNews, but also playing some of the event, including my first WSOP-C ring events.
Jan
25
by Chad Holloway
The PCA is considered one of the biggest events of the year and kicked off this January with its eighth incarnation. I had the opportunity to cover the PCA as part of the PokerNews Live Reporting Team, and was very excited for my first trip to the Bahamas. I arrived in the middle of the $100,000 Super High Roller event which exceeded even the most optimistic expectations by drawing 38 entrants, including many of the top poker players in the world.
Humberto Brenes, Andrew Lichtenberger, Nicj Schulman, Tom Marchese, Hoyt Corkins, Antonio Esfandiari, Viktor “Isildur1” Blom, and Jonathan Duhamel were just a few of the players in the field. Our own Phil Laak even partook, but couldn’t get much going and was eliminated on Day 1.
The event was also special because it saw Daniel Negreanu finish in second place. Why is that so special? Because his $1,000,000 cash pushed him ahead of Phil Ivey on the all-time money winners list. I was reporting on Day 1 of the PCA Main Event when the third-place finisher, Bryn Kenney, was eliminated and the tournament staff announced Negreanu’s accomplishment over the P.A. system. The whole room broke out in applause, including Ivey.
Speaking of the Main Event, this year’s tournament was the most successful to date. It drew 1,560 players, 31 more than 2010, and created a prize pool of$15,132,000. Among those were competing for the first-place prize were the Unabomber, who was eliminated within the first three levels, and the Unabombshell, Jennifer Tilly. In one hand, a player in early position opened to 350 only to have Tilly, who was stacking chips after knocking out an opponent in a previous hand, tossed out a blue T5,000 chip. It was a huge raise and the dealer even made sure she intended the action. Tilly confirmed and action folded to Evelyn Ng, who moved all in for 29,925. Tilly eventually made the call and created a 60,000-chip pot in just Level 2 of the PCA. Not surprisingly, it was a race, Tilly’s Ah-Kd against the pocket queens of Ng. The board ran out Ad-9c-3h-5d-Jc, ending Ng’s tournament and pushing Tilly up to the 90,000-chip mark.
On Wednesday, January 12, 2011, I actually had a day off from my PokerNews duties and decided to enjoy the Bahamas. We were staying at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island so I decided to see what they had to offer. I woke up early and ventured down to the beach. I’m from Wisconsin so I don’t get to see the sand, sun, and sea very often. From there I went to the waterpark. It was fun but I wasn’t overly impressed, which isn’t surprising considering I grew up in Wisconsin Dells, the home to America’s largest waterpark and numerous indoor waterparks. However, I did work up the courage to do the “Leap of Faith” waterslide. This thing was crazy, literally straight down. I don’t know how people don’t get hurt or die. Regardless, I knew if I didn’t do it I’d regret it, so I sucked it up and took the plunge. Not only that, former EPT-Copenhagen winner Tim Vance wanted me to go on it with him, so I ended up doing it twice!
After the waterpark I had an appointment to snorkel the Atlantis Ruins. The ruins are simply the resort’s outdoor aquarium, which is filled with millions of gallons of water, stingrays, grouper, zebra sharks, two giant manta rays (named Apollo and Poseidon I believe), and thousands of different fish. I can’t even begin to tell you how cool that experience was, and all for only $80.00! If you ever go to the Atlantis Resort, be sure to snorkel the ruins, it is simply amazing.
Once I was done I want out for drinks with my fellow reporters/blogger and capped off the night. Speaking of my coworkers, I had the pleasure of working with some of the best in the poker business. The PokerNews crew included Donnie Peters, Eric Ramsey, Mickey Doft, Rich Ryan, Kristy Arnett, Sarah Grant, Gloria Balding, Will Thomas, and Tennille Olsen.
Sticking with the poker media theme, a huge story developed in the PCA Ladies Event this past weekend. Kristin Bihr, who is more popularly known as “change100”, cleared a 98-player field to go heads up against Lauren Kling. Bihr, who is the girlfriend of poker blogger Pauly McGuire, has been one of the best poker writers for years so the whole poker community was pulling for her. I was ecstatic to see her take it down. "I'm a poor poker writer, so this kind of money really means a lot to me," Bihr said in an interview after her $29,798 win. Congrats change100, no one deserves it more.
There was plenty of other action from the PCA, much of which I will recap in my next blog in just a few days. Be sure to check back then to learn more on the Main Event, the $25,000 High Roller tournament, and the $5K Bounty Shootout.
Dec
14
by Chad Holloway
As some of you may know, I write Fantasy Poker articles for Poker Pro Magazine and the European publication, Online Poke Pro. This has been a great experience and has allowed me to contribute to one of poker’s highest quality magazines. Another benefit from this experience is that my editor and fellow University of Wisconsin Alum, Johnny “Quads” Wenzel, informs me of some great opportunities in the poker world. Most recent he told me of an upcoming online tournament they are holding for a great cause, to honor the armed services. Not only that, the winner of the freeroll tournament will win a seat to the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event plus $2,000 for expenses. I’m looking forward to that and to learn more you can always pick-up a copy of Poker Pro Magazine (plus you’ll get to read some of my articles on Fantasy Poker).
In other poker news, I’ve decided to grind it out at some low stakes Sit & Gos here on UnaBomber. I’m usually playing some sort of ring games, but after scrolling through the lobby, I noticed UnaBomber offers some pretty decent Sit & Go options. My plan is to just grind those out for awhile and see how I do. I’m actually having a good time playing the “Double or nothing” tournaments. I’ve decided to avoid Pot Limit Omaha unless it’s the micro stakes, because it seems no matter what I do, I can’t beat that game.
My other poker plans include a trip to New Orleans in February. I’m going to visit some old friends and live it up at Mardi Gras, but I’m looking forward to putting a session or two in at the poker room in Harrah’s. I used to play there almost every day when I lived in NOLA, and I loved it. It’s a great room and it’s right off Bourbon Street. The 2009 WSOP Winter Bayou Poker Challenge is going on right now and I hate to miss it. Just the same, I can sit home all day playing online poker and avoid the 5 degree weather here in Wisconsin.
I’ll also be glued to the internet checking updates on the WPT Doyle Brunson Classic. I know the Unabomber himself will be playing, so I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed. Speaking of Mr. Laak, he seems to be addicted to Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. I can’t say that I blame him. I’m not the video gamer I used to be (thanks to internet poker) but even I can’t put down C.O.D.2. It is by far the best first-person shooter I have ever played and it is so much fun. You might see me on X-Box live playing under “Hollowayism.” If I’m not there check UnaBomber and I’ll probably be playing under the screenname “LuckBox07.”
Nov
24
by Katrina Lim
The Bahamas are calling!
AARRGGHH!! I played another Sunday qualifier fer PCA and finished 6th! I needed to finish in the top 2 to win my way to the Bahamas!!! ARGH!!! Felt janky fer a good hour or so…ugh. Then I played Left For Dead and after a few successful campaigns, was feelin’ good again. Had fun killing all those zombies! OMG, this game rules! And I was playing online with bro, E-Dog, and Eugene so it was even more fun! I’m also Xsporean on XBOX Live!
So last night I played and won another pre-qualifier so I’m in fer cheap fer this Sunday’s PCA qualifier again! Man, I better qualify this Sunday or else! I can already see the beach, cocktails, trashy mags, and FOOD! Never been to Bahamas! Never been to Atlantis! People tell me it’s paradise! I don’t believe them so I need to find out fer myself. And with lil sis already in, it’ll be such a fun trip!!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I’m hungry! Will be fun eating and chilling and eating some more. Check out the menu, yo!
Big ass bird (Thanks Uncle Joe!) with mama’s famous Chinese stuffin’!! Her secret ingredient? Shitake mushrooms and chestnuts, yo! And we also gotz green bean casserole, fruit salad, homemade mashers, and even sweet potater casserole! Throw in a pumpkin pie and homemade tiramisu and wash it all down with some pinot noir and sparkling cider and you gotz a couple extra pounds, easy! Oh, but so worth it! Thanksgiving is the only day where we’re supposed to overeat and feel good about it! So I only want to do my part and continue this great American tradition! Hmm, I will hafta check if Kobe is on! A Lakers win will complete my holiday.
Then Black Friday! I love Black Friday cuz who doesn’t like shoppin’ fer cheap?! And it’s also a tradition to wake up at an ungodly hour and support our economy! And fer those newbies that don’t know how to handle the masses, please be extra careful and don’t get hurt! Holy hell! Every damn year some poor shoppers let others walk all over them (literally!). Be safe out there! Hopefully, I can drag my sis to come with me to all these places and we can snag some deals! When else can you get yurself a slow cooker, coffeemaker, toaster, etc. for $3 each??!! Ah, Friday starts the holiday shopping season! December is an expensive month fer me. With birthdays on the 11th, 12th, 14th, and 15th, I am a broke bee-at-ch. Jank. Throw in Christmas, and by the new year, it’s true jankity jank. I am really tempted to pick up another PS3 just to have another blu-ray player in the house to go with the new 50” plasma and it comes with free copies of Batman’s Arkham Asylum and Infamous. These 2 games are right up my alley and I’ll also get a free blu-ray of The Dark Knight. Anyway, gonna make my shoppin’ list later today.
Watched the WSOP final table and ESPN sure made poker look like more of a crapshoot than a game of skill. Would’ve been nice to see Phil win it. And what’s up with Jeff “Grizzly Adams” Schulman?! Yo, I know you can afford a razor! I need to find out from Joe Cada how he knows when Ducks and Tres’ are gonna flop sets! You’re a genius! Congrats!
Playin’ some SNGs today and then meetin’ up with BFF fer lunch at the beach. Then gonna go to her neighbor’s holiday boutique tonight with the gang. Should be fun! Have a winning day everybody!