This was the first time in 3 years I followed the WSOP Main Event on ESPN. It's nothing against it, I just didn't have cable for a few years. The last year I watched was Jaime Gold's year. I followed Yang's year online, but it wasn't very interesting. I tried to watch 2008 on PokerTube, but found the coverage boring. Don't tell me who wins, I'm only on episode 28. Or something like that.
I was very interested in 2009, but didn't look for it online, just followed it as it happened. I was disappointed, as were most, when Ivey got booted.
Finally, this year, I followed all the episodes (thanks to a good deal with Comcast). While I enjoyed the coverage, and I liked that most of the players were experienced players (even though they were unknowns), I was very disappointed in the lack of other events. Sure, sure, I understand there's not a lot of mass appeal for non- Hold 'em games, but through one in. Through in the short handed NLHE game. Or even the heads up. They get a few more weeks of additional new content and I get more poker.
What I really liked was the ESPN3.com's coverage of the live final table (I'm about to stream me some Cricket!). I watched HOURS of that. First on the computer, then via Xbox's new ESPN Channel. I loved it. I didn't need the hole cards. I hope they do that again. I'll make a day of it.
That's the TV Coverage. My interest in the entire WSOP this season was low, and I think a lot of that had to do with Poker Road Radio. I don't want to bad mouth them. They have a great idea, but I felt their coverage this year was lacking. I'm not sure if it was Jeremiah Smith as host, or the lack of Sebok and Gavin Smith, but it just seemed... un-enthused. For the PRR crew, Huff, Stapes or even Ali Nejad are better suited for the show. PRR is more about comedy than anything else, and that's not Jeremiah's strong suit.
I love Poker Road, but it seems like Sebok is getting ready to let it go. He has a great concept, I just hope he can figure a way to make money off of it.
-My name is Unimpressed, and I'm an donkaholic.
WSOP Main Event
Nobody Folds A Flush Draw.
Actually played some poker tonight; Slappy's home game.
The structure has changed slightly. $10.00- You get 4000 chips, blinds start at 25/50 and go up 15 mins. Roughly about double the chips as before. Also added was a $5 bounty on everyone.
I played two 6 handed tounraments. The first one, I couldn't get anything going. I got JJ but everyome folded. My last hand, the blinds were 400/800, I was on the button with about 3500 chips (< starting stack). I have 22 on the button after 1 limper. BB calls with TT and I'm out.
Second tourney, early on (50/100), I get QJo in middle position. I limp and button raises to 200. BB calls, I call. Flop comes a beautiful 89T (2 spades). Bb checks, I check. My thought process is that if anyone has a flush draw, in this game, I think most people will call almost any bet with a flopped flush draw (or re-raise), so I checked to control the pot and to put money in on the turn when they might fold. The button checks. Turn is a 7s, completing the flush draw. BB bets 150, I make it 300, and button than makes it 1000 total. BB tanks but calss. I tank but call, hoping to get to showdown cheap. The river is a blank. BB cbecks, I check and the Button moves all in. BB folds. I tank. The button is probably the worse player in the game. Super slow and at one point was no longer invited to the game. I really start thinking about what I could beat. I could see him doing this with AT with A of spades. Though I don't think he checks the flop. That really should have been a clue. In the end, I put him on the bottom end of the straight 67 or even 56, or As6x. Really thoilugh, no way he had 67 or 56 with a min raise preflop. The problem is I don't want to believe he has the flush, I don't put him on any hands I lose to.
I call and ask if he has the flush. He says "Yes." and shows the QsJs. So he flopped all kinds of goodness and I'm out early on.
I've been running bad/playing bad at Slappy's home game recently. I really need to change that.
