Re: 2008 WSOP
[quote:5fda8c192f="thejim"]I didn't feel an excitement in the air like I expected, no. I wasn't as impressed by the room and the number of tables. Heather thought it was interesting from a rigging and setup standpoint (she's in convention services). I just wasn't amped. And, that's why I won't go back without a good reason. They don't spread 1/2 and I just don't feel like being a fanboy/railtard without being a part of it.[/quote:5fda8c192f]
I know what you mean. I was in Las Vegas in December, 2004, which coincided with a major tournament at Bellagio. My next-to-last day there happened to be day one of the $15,000 WPT Final Event. I went there to eat and I thought it would be cool to see what goes on at a WPT event.
I did see quite a few "name" players --
Phil Gordon - jerk (OK I never talked to him at all, but he used a VIP pass to cut in line in front of me at the Bellagio Buffet before the tournament started which was enough for me -- I've never liked him since).
Daniel Negreanu - he was putting more effort into reading a book than playing poker. It must have worked since he went on to wih the tournament.
Gus Hansen - he was wearing baggy shorts, a dirty white t-shirt, and flip flops. It looked like he just rolled out of bed at noon and wandered in to play a $15k tournament, which is maybe the case.
I also saw TJ Cloutier, Chris Ferguson, and Humberto Brenes playing.
In general, it was about as exciting as watching a roomful of tables with people playing 2/4 holdem. Poker tournaments just do not make good live spectator events. |
