State of the WSOP so far.............
With a few events under their belt in the WSOP, seems about time for some of the favorites we love to watch to start some serious runs for bracelets. The early part of June last year brought the first Ivey and Lisandro wins and a steady stream of pros scored big for the rest of the month.
The Player's Championship gave us a taste of high level play by the big boys and with Michael Mizrachi winning we are ready for more. It was so good to see Michael get his first bracelet in such a big way after a tumultuous year for him personally was a great story and can hardly wait for the ESPN spin when it airs later this Summer.
With the higher buy-in events, we expect to see the well known player to lead the way...it would have been a big story for an unknown to prevail in the Player's Championship. Last year it was a big story when a mostly unknown, older player Freddie Ellis won the 10K Seven Card Stud Championship. I am expecting to see it won this year by a familiar face.........starts today, stay tuned.
Will we see mulitple winners......new stars.......????? Let the games begin.......warm up is over.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Woman to be Admired............Nancy Todd Tyner
The Haters Do Not Have A Clue.........
It was a pleasure to see Nancy's name on one of the leaderboard lists in WSOP Event #3. I was reminded of the very controversial events of 2008 when she won the WPT Ladies event and was at the final table and later, heads up with Vanessa Selbst. While the discussions on the forums acknowledged the bad behavior of Vanessa, there were plenty of nasty comments about the age and look of Nancy. She just did not fit the acceptable profile of the young guns that dominate the game today.
I remember being so shocked by Selbst's rude actions and comments..... am assuming that she thought if she could get Nancy one on one, she could just run away with the title. It was not to be. Nancy just ran over her, was aggressive, focused, tough and fearless. This really put Vanessa on tilt because that was her game plan and did not expect this from the "old lady".
The contrast in these two could not have been more pronounced......NTT was dressed to the nines, feminine, heavily made up and big hair. VS was in a tight tee shirt, short hair and announcing to the world that was not aware, her sexual orientation. Nancy the complete lady, Vanessa the complete ass. Knowing that Nancy was a political consultant and judging by her appearance, it was a good guess as to what her political leanings were...... more tilt!
About a year or so before this WPT event in 2008, Mike Sexton had written about Nancy in his column in one of the poker publications. He told about a woman that had been in one of his boot camp classes and that she was a very interesting person with an interesting background and had the potential to be a really good poker player.
After the WPT event aired, I went online to find out more info on the woman. What I found was really an inspiring story. It was mentioned that Nancy Todd Tyner was a political consultant and while searching, realized that her deep involvement with political campaigns was only a small part of her inspirational and heartbreaking story.
Nancy Todd Tyner is a warrior........as though politics was not a tough enough business, her personal life is the story of a woman who has had her heart ripped out. She lost her oldest son, Hayden, in 2005 after a lengthy battle to save his life.......an odyssey that you must read in her own words. She also has younger twins with challenging health issues that require constant attention.
After you know her story, you should realize that being a good poker player is a piece of cake compared to her professional and personal life. It is funny the lack of respect that is given to the "mature" players, especially the women in the poker community......but the young, mostly male, players cannot realize how tough, smart, and determined some real life experiences can provide......... I hope none have to experience the extremes that Nancy has lived.
Follow Nancy on twitter at pokerqod and or go to her website at pokerqueenofdiamonds.com
It was a pleasure to see Nancy's name on one of the leaderboard lists in WSOP Event #3. I was reminded of the very controversial events of 2008 when she won the WPT Ladies event and was at the final table and later, heads up with Vanessa Selbst. While the discussions on the forums acknowledged the bad behavior of Vanessa, there were plenty of nasty comments about the age and look of Nancy. She just did not fit the acceptable profile of the young guns that dominate the game today.
I remember being so shocked by Selbst's rude actions and comments..... am assuming that she thought if she could get Nancy one on one, she could just run away with the title. It was not to be. Nancy just ran over her, was aggressive, focused, tough and fearless. This really put Vanessa on tilt because that was her game plan and did not expect this from the "old lady".
The contrast in these two could not have been more pronounced......NTT was dressed to the nines, feminine, heavily made up and big hair. VS was in a tight tee shirt, short hair and announcing to the world that was not aware, her sexual orientation. Nancy the complete lady, Vanessa the complete ass. Knowing that Nancy was a political consultant and judging by her appearance, it was a good guess as to what her political leanings were...... more tilt!
About a year or so before this WPT event in 2008, Mike Sexton had written about Nancy in his column in one of the poker publications. He told about a woman that had been in one of his boot camp classes and that she was a very interesting person with an interesting background and had the potential to be a really good poker player.
After the WPT event aired, I went online to find out more info on the woman. What I found was really an inspiring story. It was mentioned that Nancy Todd Tyner was a political consultant and while searching, realized that her deep involvement with political campaigns was only a small part of her inspirational and heartbreaking story.
Nancy Todd Tyner is a warrior........as though politics was not a tough enough business, her personal life is the story of a woman who has had her heart ripped out. She lost her oldest son, Hayden, in 2005 after a lengthy battle to save his life.......an odyssey that you must read in her own words. She also has younger twins with challenging health issues that require constant attention.
After you know her story, you should realize that being a good poker player is a piece of cake compared to her professional and personal life. It is funny the lack of respect that is given to the "mature" players, especially the women in the poker community......but the young, mostly male, players cannot realize how tough, smart, and determined some real life experiences can provide......... I hope none have to experience the extremes that Nancy has lived.
Follow Nancy on twitter at pokerqod and or go to her website at pokerqueenofdiamonds.com
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Year of the Woman...........
This has been a banner year for women in the poker world. Annie winning the Heads Up Championship, Liv Bouree's win at San Remo, Vanessa Selbst at NAPT and Vanessa Rousso's deep runs in other events have all eyes focused on the WSOP for more skins on the wall for the girls.
We will all be watching to see how Annette fares in Las Vegas this summer and see if our favorite chicks keep the trend going and if some new stars will emerge. The Hag has some great expectations.
All of the poker world should be celebrating this trend......all you young male players that only want to see the cute, young women do well and then not give credit for their ability.......you should be cheering on all the women that play. It could possibly bring in a new wave of $$$ into the poker pool.
The great thing has been that many of these events have been shown on TV so the female presence is being seen by the general public, not just the poker players. What many do not realize is that there are more women playing and interested in poker than you think. Also what many do not realize is that women have money to spend and will spend on things that they are interested in and on entertainment in general.
Women like to play games and can be pretty competitive, some more than others. Females in general will play in a different manner...some may say are nittier. This is not to say that aggression cannot be part of the game.....it is just different.
The best thing that could happen in poker would be for an average middle aged woman to win a major event. The more " mature" women will come out of the woodwork....they are playing in pub leagues, home games and casinos all over the place and have been for years. No telling how many would come into the more high profile events if they saw a major success by one of their own.
There are many reasons that the full force of a potential female movement has not taken place yet. Some are not comfortable going to casinos and may feel intimidated in a mostly male atmosphere and that is likely to never change. For others who have read the books, gone to the web for information and join forums and read blogs which are dominated by 20-30 year old guys who have little regard for any female that is not a supermodel, the general attitude is discouraging.......and stops those who can afford to play cash games and tournaments to stay home.
You guys out there just do not realize the huge surge in players and money that would come into poker if this segment of the population was encouraged not discouraged from joining in..........boys.....it is your loss.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Friday, December 18, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
WSOP Final Table.....views of the Hag
Well.......we are down to heads up at the final table of the WSOP Main Event and the first 17+ hours have been interesting.
With Darvin Moon and Joe Cada being the last two standing, the big stories emerging are some mistakes by Moon and the luck of Cada.
Most will agree that the level of play throughout was generally very good....players seemed to bring their A game. Moon made a couple of questionable plays that were widely discussed but that was a very small part of the story.
Luck seemed to be the biggest story........the ones with the highest percentage of lucky cards on board are the last two playing. Phil Ivey and Begleiter had the lowest luck numbers.
The cliff notes for some of the major hands are:
#59 Akenhead 3 3 vs Shaffel 9 9 9's hold up and Akenhead is out
#75 Shaffel A A vs Buchman K K Quad K's hit board and Shaffel out
#175 Ivey A K vs Moon A Q Q 6 6 3 5 and Ivey is out
#187 Begleiter Q Q vs Moon A Q 7 4 8 3 A and Begleiter is out
#195 Shulman J J vs Cada 3 3 8 4 3 7 Q and Shulman is crippled
#236 Shulman 7 7 vs Saout A 9 10 9 6 Q 4 and Shulman is out
#271 Buchman A 5 vs Moon K J 2 9 Q K 5 and Buchman is out
#272 Saout Q Q vs Cada 2 2 7 2 9 3 6 and Saout is crippled
#276 Saout 8 8 vs Cada A K 5 4 5 10 K and Saout is out
In 17+ hours of play there were 21 All in's with 18 of those being preflop. 43% of the time the dog won. Only 4 of these hands were coin flip situations. Percentage wise, Cada and Moon were the luckiest and Ivey and Begleiter were by far the unluckiest according to a post on the TwoPlusTwo forum with a whopping minus 60% figure, We all know that to get to this stage that all of the players must have some skills and get lucky many times but the luck factor so far has played a big role in the outcome here at the final table.
One thing that has really been great the past two years is the quality of the play. Not a lot of hype and guys just doing their thing. No theatrics......just poker players playing poker. Yes, luck has played a part but the players have been great and a credit to the game.
Tonight at midnight here in Texas....the Hag will be glued to the audio broadcast on Bluff.....do not expect to be the marathon it was last year. Then will be watching ESPN on Tuesday....hate this delay as it greatly changes the dynamic of the game (and a subject for another day) but we will take what we can get.
With Darvin Moon and Joe Cada being the last two standing, the big stories emerging are some mistakes by Moon and the luck of Cada.
Most will agree that the level of play throughout was generally very good....players seemed to bring their A game. Moon made a couple of questionable plays that were widely discussed but that was a very small part of the story.
Luck seemed to be the biggest story........the ones with the highest percentage of lucky cards on board are the last two playing. Phil Ivey and Begleiter had the lowest luck numbers.
The cliff notes for some of the major hands are:
#59 Akenhead 3 3 vs Shaffel 9 9 9's hold up and Akenhead is out
#75 Shaffel A A vs Buchman K K Quad K's hit board and Shaffel out
#175 Ivey A K vs Moon A Q Q 6 6 3 5 and Ivey is out
#187 Begleiter Q Q vs Moon A Q 7 4 8 3 A and Begleiter is out
#195 Shulman J J vs Cada 3 3 8 4 3 7 Q and Shulman is crippled
#236 Shulman 7 7 vs Saout A 9 10 9 6 Q 4 and Shulman is out
#271 Buchman A 5 vs Moon K J 2 9 Q K 5 and Buchman is out
#272 Saout Q Q vs Cada 2 2 7 2 9 3 6 and Saout is crippled
#276 Saout 8 8 vs Cada A K 5 4 5 10 K and Saout is out
In 17+ hours of play there were 21 All in's with 18 of those being preflop. 43% of the time the dog won. Only 4 of these hands were coin flip situations. Percentage wise, Cada and Moon were the luckiest and Ivey and Begleiter were by far the unluckiest according to a post on the TwoPlusTwo forum with a whopping minus 60% figure, We all know that to get to this stage that all of the players must have some skills and get lucky many times but the luck factor so far has played a big role in the outcome here at the final table.
One thing that has really been great the past two years is the quality of the play. Not a lot of hype and guys just doing their thing. No theatrics......just poker players playing poker. Yes, luck has played a part but the players have been great and a credit to the game.
Tonight at midnight here in Texas....the Hag will be glued to the audio broadcast on Bluff.....do not expect to be the marathon it was last year. Then will be watching ESPN on Tuesday....hate this delay as it greatly changes the dynamic of the game (and a subject for another day) but we will take what we can get.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Hope renewed for gaming in Texas....the writing is on the wall
An interesting development has just occurred in the quest to get legalized gaming in Texas. Efforts have been successful for years now to derail any attempts by the pro-gaming/poker lobby by the funneling of contributions by the Chickasaw and Cherokee interests in Oklahoma. The pro-gamers have been getting closer and closer to bringing the measures for expanding the Texas Gaming Commission to include casino gambling and/or poker rooms but as long as Rick Perry is Governor and his campaign receives funds from these sources and to keep his religious right constituency in line, a veto will always be a reality.
Now the winds are changing.....Kay Bailey Hutchison is ahead in the poles....right now......and Rick will have a big fight on his hands......he has not managed the State well........the Chickasaws can see the writing on the wall. With the fact that they are bidding on the Lone Star Park, they have showed their hand. This is a brilliant move on their part......good business. They can continue to rake in the $$$ in Oklahoma as there will be some who will continue to frequent the border casinos just because of their location and many of the rural patrons will not be as comfortable coming to the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area........any business they lose will be multiplied many times over by having a central Metroplex location.
In the Dallas Morning News today, Saturday September 19, 2009 this statement was made "They certainly didn't buy it (Lone Star Park) to race ponies", said Jack Pratt, treasurer of the pro-gaming lobbying group Texas Gaming Association. He said the company is making its bid 'on the basis that they'll get gaming'". You can bet they are not bidding $27 million just to operate a bankrupt asset.....they are looking to the future....
The pieces are falling into place and for once there is a real chance we will get the opportunity to vote on a gaming measure in the Great State of Texas......passing it will be another matter but instead of funding the religious community in defeating the casino issue, the Chickasaws and probably the other Tribes will be on the side to pass the constitutional amendment that will be required.
The Hag can see one fly in the ointment......Rick Perry has appointed the Gaming Commission folks so the process of approving Global Gaming Solutions LSP, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation for a permit to operate Lone Star Park could possibly a problem but we are keeping our proverbial fingers crossed that all goes according to plan.
We will have to wait until 2011 for all this to fall into place but all of us interested must keep the heat on in any way we can.......with KBH in the Governor's Mansion........we have a real shot this time....
Now the winds are changing.....Kay Bailey Hutchison is ahead in the poles....right now......and Rick will have a big fight on his hands......he has not managed the State well........the Chickasaws can see the writing on the wall. With the fact that they are bidding on the Lone Star Park, they have showed their hand. This is a brilliant move on their part......good business. They can continue to rake in the $$$ in Oklahoma as there will be some who will continue to frequent the border casinos just because of their location and many of the rural patrons will not be as comfortable coming to the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area........any business they lose will be multiplied many times over by having a central Metroplex location.
In the Dallas Morning News today, Saturday September 19, 2009 this statement was made "They certainly didn't buy it (Lone Star Park) to race ponies", said Jack Pratt, treasurer of the pro-gaming lobbying group Texas Gaming Association. He said the company is making its bid 'on the basis that they'll get gaming'". You can bet they are not bidding $27 million just to operate a bankrupt asset.....they are looking to the future....
The pieces are falling into place and for once there is a real chance we will get the opportunity to vote on a gaming measure in the Great State of Texas......passing it will be another matter but instead of funding the religious community in defeating the casino issue, the Chickasaws and probably the other Tribes will be on the side to pass the constitutional amendment that will be required.
The Hag can see one fly in the ointment......Rick Perry has appointed the Gaming Commission folks so the process of approving Global Gaming Solutions LSP, a subsidiary of the Chickasaw Nation for a permit to operate Lone Star Park could possibly a problem but we are keeping our proverbial fingers crossed that all goes according to plan.
We will have to wait until 2011 for all this to fall into place but all of us interested must keep the heat on in any way we can.......with KBH in the Governor's Mansion........we have a real shot this time....
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