It looked for weeks as though it might never end, but now it almost has. The longest Main Event in World Series history--four months in the making--has finally come down to its last two players. Peter Eastgate of Denmark and Ivan Demidov of Russia are less than an hour away from taking the gloves off and going bare-knuckle for this momentous first prize, … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: Eastgate and Demidov weigh in
November 10, 2008 By
The music, familiar to every ear, rose up from unseen speakers. The driving "Eye of the Tiger" pulsed across the Rio Casino floor as the World Series of Poker's version of Bruce Buffer placed his mouth to the microphone. "This is the weigh in," bellowed Nolan Dalla, "of the World Series of Poker Main Event!" The Rio Hotel and Casino is an active place. … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: Eastgate and Demidov weigh in
November 10, 2008 By
The music, familiar to every ear, rose up from unseen speakers. The driving "Eye of the Tiger" pulsed across the Rio Casino floor as the World Series of Poker's version of Bruce Buffer placed his mouth to the microphone. "This is the weigh in," bellowed Nolan Dalla, "of the World Series of Poker Main Event!" The Rio Hotel and Casino is an active place. … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: PokerStars heads up for bracelet
November 10, 2008 By
Every World Series final table has carried with it a sense of anticipation, but none quite like the one we watched today. It was an historic final table four months in the making. Nine men from around the world reconvened after an extended poker vacation. They walked into the Rio Hotel and Casino Penn and Teller Theater this morning knowing that when … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: Ylon’s road runs out and Phillips is trucking no more
November 10, 2008 By
And in a sudden flurry of activity, we are down to our two players who will contest tomorrow's heads-up dual for the 2008 World Series of Poker. First things first, let's name them. They are Peter Eastgate and Ivan Demidov; Denmark versus Russia for the big, big bucks in Vegas. How it happened will take a little longer. We lost two players--Ylon … [Read more...]
200 World Series: The European invasion
November 10, 2008 By
Time to nail my national colors to the mast. Ah hell, let's get this right: time to nail my national coloUrs to the mast: I'm British, very much a part of Europe, and right now there exists the very real possibility that two Europeans could go heads up for the World Series title tomorrow afternoon. That's never happened before, and it would be one … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: The European invasion
November 10, 2008 By
Time to nail my national colors to the mast. Ah hell, let's get this right: time to nail my national coloUrs to the mast: I'm British, very much a part of Europe, and right now there exists the very real possibility that two Europeans could go heads up for the World Series title tomorrow afternoon. That's never happened before, and it would be one … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: Ivan and winding road
November 10, 2008 By
Back during the early days of the World Series, my colleagues here at the PokerStars Blog began singing about Ylon (Ee-lahn) Schwartz, "Ylon and winding road!" Their British accents made for the perfect re-make of the Beatles classic. Little did any of us know we would be watching Schwartz four-handed at the World Series final table. Even more surprising, … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: Suharto bids a fond farewell, Demidov is here to stay
November 10, 2008 By
Eliminations aplenty In all of poker, there are few stories more heart-warming than the online qualifier made good. Players investing less than about $100 who then go on to make millions are usually some of the most humble folk involved in these huge events. Few fit that bill more comfortably than Darus Suharto, the PokerStars qualifier from Canada, … [Read more...]
2008 World Series: Food coma?
November 10, 2008 By
It had been a long day. Most people were up and milling about the Rio just after sunrise. The line to the Penn and Teller Theater formed at 8am. More than 1,000 people filled the seats while hundreds of others waited outside for their chance to watch history. By the time 6:15 rolled around, the hour folks had to eat was just enough to find a pile of … [Read more...]