blonde poker

 

Debuting in 1970, the popularity of the World Series up to the Millennium showed only gradual signs of progression, with relatively few newcomers joining the likes of Brunson, Slim, and Moss, and co as they locked horns in the Horseshoe Casino. However, since 2003 and the explosion of online and televised poker, the WSOP has transformed into a worldwide cultural phenomenon, attracting competitors from a whole range of different backgrounds.

Men and women, the young and old, amateurs and veterans, the rich and poor, the able-bodied and the disabled - the WSOP truly brings together a large number of different social segments, making the game/sport one of the most accessible on the planet.

And so it was with great delight that this Friday witnessed the commencement of this year’s poker extravaganza, and WSOP 2007, in association with Milwaukee’s Best Light, was underway.

The first event scheduled was a curious $5,000 Freezeout involving alternate rounds of Limit and No Limit Hold’Em. At first glance, this may have seemed like an odd choice, the high buy-in and mixed limits potentially deterring a big field, but it would appear as though Harrah’s either wanted a ‘name’ player to take the first bracelet, or simply couldn’t contend with a huge crowd right from the off.

Either way, the Event lured in 451 poker enthusiasts including many big stars, Barry Greenstein, Antonio Esfandiari, Humberto Brenes, Erik Seidel, Johnny Chan, Todd Brunson and the crowd pleasing Vanessa Rousso leading the way.

Also present were two British players, and even one blondeite, in Mark Teltscher and Stuart ‘Easy Pickings’ Rutter, the latter touted as ‘due a big win’. Although neither found their way onto the final table, both began their WSOP venture with a cash, Stuart sneaking in at 44th for $11,658 whilst Mark faired slightly better with a 29th for $13,778.

Meanwhile, the final table was being inhabited by less local and ‘renowned’ names, the most familiar face perhaps being that of the Kiwi Kid Kirk Morrison (left), the New Zealand star who finished runner-up to Carlos Mortensen in the recent WPT Championship Grand Final at the Bellagio.

As the players braced themselves for the Series’ first final, complete with newly designed stage and plasma screens, several concerns were voiced regarding the blind levels, WSOP Media co-ordinator, Nolan Dalla later observing: “There was some concern at the start of the final table that the high betting limits (for the limit half of the event) might create a quick finish. The average chip stack was about 500,000 and with betting limits on the initial round at 30,000-60,000 this gave the players very little lee-way so far as making mistakes or suffering a bad run of cards. Tournament Director Jack Effel made the proper decision not to adjust the size of the betting limits. In retrospect, his decision turned out to be correct. The final table lasted nearly eight hours and provided plenty of play for the finalists.”

At the end of those eight hours, we were left with two survivors in former ice-hockey pro, Greg Mueller, who, incidentally, had held the overnight chip-lead, and young Internet whiz Steve ‘Smokey’ Billirakis.

Although Greg had the chip edge heads-up, the deficit was overturned by Billirakis who went on to snatch the first title of the Series and get his grubby mitts on the now more valuable Corum bracelet, not to mention the $536,287 in spondoolies.

At just 21 years and 11 days, Billirakis became the youngest ever bracelet winner surpassing the achievements of Jeff Madsen, who won his first wrist trophy at the tender age of 21 years 1 month and 9 days.

Although this Event was considered the first competition of the Series, it was the second to be completed, the annual $500 Employees event lasting just the two days with Orleans’ cardroom dealer Frederik Narciso (pictured right) taking top honours.

Hailing from Chicago Illinois, Frederik defeated Charles Fisher heads up to take the bracelet and the $104,701 first prize.

 

Congratulations to both Steve and Frederik, who now have their names etched in history, not to mention on the 'to-do' list of the local nippers.