Things We're Thankful For...

(from our November Bluff Magazinecolumn)

The Wicked Chops Poker Annual “What We’re Thankful For” Article

Every November, sometime right around Thanksgiving, the Entities who comprise Wicked Chops Poker gather around a fireplace and share stories about what we’re most thankful for in our respective lives.

Just kidding. For the most part we take absolutely everything for granted.

Except for poker. Poker has always been there for us. Need an excuse to get away from our current/first wives for a night? Poker. Need some spare coin to help fund covert guerilla wars in developing nations with the hope of spreading democracy abroad? Poker.

With that in mind, here’s this year’s edition of our “What We’re Thankful For” Article.

The 2008 World Series of Poker – This was the fourth WSOP we’ve covered and this was easily and by far our favorite. Huge hats off to Jeffrey Pollack and crew for putting together a well run operation. And while this year may have lacked good Vinnie Vinh chair cashing moments, it did have plenty of big names rising to the occasion, often being railed by girls with even bigger racks.

The 2008 WSOP Rail Birds – See previous paragraph, last sentence. We’ve seen some hot railbirds in the past, but this year’s WSOP set new standards. We even dedicated an entire section of our website (and all but one of the pictures in this article) to these amazing young women.

Sure, people questioned us if snapping photos of girls without their knowledge and posting them on our site was “ethical.” But what are ethics anyway? Ethics are just a system of morals. And what are morals? Morals are the principles or rules that enable you to make the distinction between right and wrong? So then, what exactly is “right?” And what exactly is “wrong?” All we know is if taking pictures of beautiful women and putting them up on the so-called Internet is “wrong,” then we don’t even want to know what “right” is.  

Seriously though those girls were hot. (view them all again here)

Not One Ginger Punched Us in the Face – Not sure what this says about us, but two of our three “What We’re Thankful For” lists have included, “not being punched in the face.”

We had a little fun this year at the expense of gingers. For those who don’t know, gingers are red headed people with freckles, pale skin, and no soul (and actually have the capability of stealing your soul by just looking at you in the eye), like Bluff Magazine Managing Editor Lance Bradley. One of our favorite ginger gimmicks this year was a “Ginger of the Day” feature during the WSOP. For the record, we claim many a ginger as a friend. And we even had some gingers request to be gingers of the day. An overwhelming  number of gingers embraced the Ginger of the Day concept. A few didn’t. Fortunately none of those people took it out on us in the form of physical retaliation. Or by looking at us in the eyes.

Nicknames Coming Through – We certainly have a knack for picking the right people to nickname. From the spectacularly-breasted J.C. Tran continuing his winning ways (and giving us dozens of excuses this year to post photos of him on our site), to “Salty” Joe Hachem being, well, salty, to David “The Dragon” Pham* giving us a chance to asterisk his name more times then we can count, what a year for our stable of nicknames. We can only look forward with eager anticipation to who will get nicknames next year—and what those people will achieve.

Less and Less People Playing on UltimateBet and Absolute Poker – Screw them. They don’t deserve another cent from any of you.**  

The November Nine™ Hostages – Sometimes people get so wrapped up in their own sufferings that they forget about the plight of others. But not the Entities. Those brave souls—The November Nine—who were taken hostage by the World Series of Poker and held captive for four months, unable to access but a minimal amount of their winnings, unable to feed themselves, their families, or put a roof over their heads, they are the real heroes. They are the ones for whom we all owe a deep amount of gratitude.

* Not a real dragon.

** The views expressed by Wicked Chops Poker are not necessarily shared by Bluff Magazine.

Friday Poker News Link Dump

Been a busy week for the Entities. Catching up on some poker news from around the so-called "Internet."

:: Best Tao of Poker post ever? [link]

:: Like this "Poker in Pictures" post on Up for Poker. Reminds us how much we fucking love U.S. America. [link]

:: So maybe there was an attempt to get the November Nine^TM some more mainstream exposure...they just didn't want it. [link]

:: These Goldman Sachs and Lehman guys have the right idea. [link]

:: After taxes, Peter Eastgate will have earned less from the 2008 WSOP Main Event than Ivan Demidov. Go socialism! [link]

In the meantime, not sure if you've seen the below video. But basically the scenario is this: Andrew was brought on the Maurey Povich Show to take a paternity test to determine if he was the father of this child. Andrew was like, "You know, cute kid and all. But I'm not sure I wanna be a dad, especially to this chick who I just hit it with one night." Then Andrew found out he was not the father and was like, "Whew, that's a relief. That would've greatly impacted my life had I been the father. You know what, I think I'm going to dance now." Then he danced.

Peter Eastgate Signs with Poker Royalty, Is Going to Be Huge In Europe

On the heels of banking 9 mil and becoming the youngest WSOP Main Event champ in history, Peter Eastgate has signed on with Poker Royalty for representation.

According to the press release, Eastgate will rely on PoRo for "worldwide management and marketing representation across all major platforms, including media, sponsorship, licensing, commercial endorsements and appearances."

Poker Royalty recently opened a European office, which would likely spearhead these efforts, because Eastgate is going to be huge in Europe. He probably already has a best selling album in Belgium.

Read the full press release here or after the jump.

Don't Ask Chino Rheem How He Feels After Busting Out of a Tournament

Who knows what they'll show during tonight's 2008 WSOP Main Event broadcast, but emotions were running high for Chino Rheem after he suffered a brutal bad beat from eventual winner Peter Eastgate and busted from the final table.

So when a reporter asked how he was feeling after the bust, let's just say he felt like "poo-poo" and the question itself he thought was "making love" "not too intelligently."

Chino Rheem's 2008 WSOP Main Event exit interview

Peter Eastgate Wins 2008 WSOP Main Event; At 22, Becomes Youngest Champion

More to come throughout the day but Peter Eastgate defeated Ivan Demidov to win the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

On the final hand, Eastgate turned a wheel, Demidov hit two pair, all the money went in, and that was that.

At 22 years-old, Eastgate now becomes the youngest Main Event champion in history, breaking Phil Hellmuth's record.

For the win, Eastgate banks $9,152,416. Demidov will take home $5,809,595.

UPDATE: Interview below with Eastgate.

Ivan Demidov Isn't Nervous

For our latest webisodes of The TOKE, we talk with Ivan Demidov and Peter Eastgate.

Demidov said he thinks Eastgate was the best of the remaining November Nine^TM and shares his thoughts on Tiffany Michelle's performance.

WSOP Finalist Ivan Demidov pre- 2008 World Series of Poker final table news conference

Meh for Poker

Who would you rather?

Well, we're kind of at a loss here.

The 2008 WSOP Main Event will come down to a Russian vs. a Dane, with Ivan Demidov going heads-up against Peter Eastgate sometime around 10pm tonight.

Barring some info on either that we don't know about yet, we can say that neither of them would be categorically bad for poker.

But we're not sure if either would be categorically good for poker either.

Which, like last year when that one guy beat the other guy, they are more likely just categorically Meh for poker.

Categorically.

The good news is that neither appears to be a fluke, like the guy who won last year. Demidov finished third at the WSOP-E Main Event, cementing his poker creds. Eastgate appears to be the real deal too. If Eastgate does win, he'd break Phil Hellmuth's record as youngest Main Event champ, which would get some decent press among the so-called poker media and maybe some mainstream pubs.

But bottomline is neither is a U.S. American, a woman, or a particularly dynamic personality. Daniel Negreanu they ain't. So we can't see either moving the needle much and getting more than a few die hards excited. More likely, the winner will be greated with a collective "meh" and shoulder shrug from the mainstream public.

Outside of the soon-to-be rich Demidov and Eastgate, the big winner in this is really Poker Stars, who can promote the hell out of these guys in Europe, where poker is still booming and where these two may have some broader appeal.

For a more play-by-play recap of the action, go here or to Dr. Pauly's here.

2008 WSOP Main Event Heads-Up: Ivan Demidov vs. Peter Eastgate

Over 6,800 players. 4 months. 1 hostage crisis. The 2008 WSOP Main Event is finally heads-up.

More information to come, but it's going to be Ivan Demidov (79,500,000) vs. Peter Eastgate (57,725,000).

No real shocker as these two looked the best and got the cards all day.

More to come...

Scott Montgomery Was Bound to Get Knocked Out Soon

At least a Canadian won't win this year's WSOP. We're tired of those Junior Americans up north winning poker tournaments.

Having just lost something like 23 million chips a few hands earlier to Ivan Demidov, Scott Montgomery was down to around 7M and bound to go out soon. We just can't see Montgomery patiently waiting for a monster. He's the type of guy who would shove with one card and a pretzel if he could and say something with his Canadian accent like "Well I'm pretty sure you don't have a pretzel so I know I have at least one live card even though a pretzel isn't really a card eh but please don't call but even if you do and I get knocked out I can probably afford to buy the Vancouver Canucks now."

So he shoved with A-3 and was called by Peter Eastgate's 6-6. Montgomery flopped an Ace and turning a set, but a 6 fell on the river giving Eastgate a boat.

Montgomery is gone in 5th place, banking $3,096,768.

Follow the action here or with Dr. Pauly here.

Darus Suharto Didn't Need to Go All-In

For some reason, every final table someone who doesn't really need to go all-in with some Ace-rag does and gets knocked out.

This year's winner is Darus Suharto.

With blinds at 250,500 and 8,550,000 in chips, Darus re-raised Scott Montgomery all-in with A-8. Now open shoving with A-8, ok. Or repopping with two cards that are likely live, great. But A-8 you're just asking for it. Montgomery went in the tank (Darus had molded a tight table image) and eventually called with A-Q, which held when the board turned the nut flush.

Suharto's A-8 now joins last year's winner, Lee "The Panther" Watkinson-Markholt's A-7, as hands that didn't need to be re-raised all-in leading to eventually elimination something something.

With Suharto's elimination, the stacks are getting pretty closely lumped together.

Chip counts: Peter Eastgate - 40,500,000, Scott Montgomery - 31,950,000, Ivan Demidov - 25,125,000, Ylon Schwartz - 19,375,000, Dennis Phillips - 19,275,000.

Chino Rheem Will Not Win the 2008 WSOP Main Event

Well, it was still a sick call.

When we picked "David" Chino Rheem to make a deep run in the 2008 WSOP Main Event, most people (like Andrew Feldman at ESPN.com) thought, "who"?

6,800+ eliminations later, Chino, the most experienced pro in the field, was knocked out of the 2008 WSOP Main Event in seventh place. Chino's A-K was sucked out on by Peter Eastgate's A-Q.

But thanks for making us look smarter than we really are, Chino.

Actually, we're pretty f'in smart, so thanks for validating that.

At the dinner break, the chip stacks are: Ivan Demidov 30,725,000, Peter Eastgate 27,175,000, the back in contention Dennis Phillips 26,950,000, Ylon Schwartz 20,475,000, Scott Montgomery 20,300,000, and Darus Suharto 10,600,000.

Kelly Kim Can Now Go Home

Having clung on to a "redunkulous" short-stack for the entire final table without ever doubling up, Kelly Kim finally went all-in and all out of the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Having nitted it though for over 50 hands and watching Craig Marquis bow out before him, Kim was able to earn an extra $386k or so.

Chino Rheem is now the short-stack with 2,900,000. Dennis Phillips is making a comeback with 11,550,000.

Follow the action here or with Dr. Pauly here.

Craig Marquis Busts First

As we wrote in our "Good / Bad for Poker" article on espn.com, Craig Marquis definitely fell into the "Good for Poker" hole and one (or three, as in, the Entities) might argue that of the November Nine^TM, he might've been the best for poker if he won (definitely the most marketable).

Well that ain't happening.

Marquis busted out first, falling to Scott Montgomery.

In a hand you'd typically only see on Full Tilt, Marquis was all-in pre-flop with pocket 7's. Montgomery called with A-Q. Marquis flopped a set, but Montgomery runner-runnered broadway for a straight.

Kelly Kim, who is clinging on to dear life with only 600,000 in chips now, did this upon Marquis' busting, as he's now a millionaire.

Dennis Phillips Is Shell-Shocked

Has anyone down there seen Dennis Phillips' chip lead?

Somewhere, difficult to tell in this photo but in the stadium seating behind the final table, there are about 200 white-shirt-wearing, St. Louis Cardinals ball capped Dennis Phillips fans. Outside the Penn & Teller theater, there are probably 100 more.

All are there, of course, were brought there by Dennis Phillips.

So it kind of sucks for him that he's gone from chip leader to near short-stack, dropping to around 4M in chips.

Phillips lost a monster pot to Ivan Demidov, and has continued to slip. The once vocal Phillips minions (who we spoke with many, all good, friendly people) have gone silent.

That party Phillips promised for all if he won looks highly improbable now.

Phillips in general looks shell-shocked and a little lost. Maybe he's feeling the pressure of not having to disappoint so many supporters out there.

Follow the action here or with Dr. Pauly here.

UPDATE: Ok as soon as we posted this Phillips doubled up through Chino Rheem and is now stacked at 9M. Chino is down to around 6M.

More November Nine(TM) Love On ESPN

One of the worst things that ever hit our ears was when Tommy Lee, during an episode of Cribs, thanked Starbucks for hooking him up with some "coffee love" when they installed a bean machine in his basement.

The only thing that really has ever sounded worse than that are those horrible Carl's Jr commercials with people loudly eating their disgusting hamburgers. So many letters/emails were written to Carl's Jr's ad agency about our hatred of the campaign, we're surprised a restraining order wasn't filed.

Anyway, along with the words "plethora," "synergy," and "philanthropy," anything "love" was officially banned from the vocabulary of the Entities.

However, we're brain-dead today and getting a little bit lazy. So with the November Nine^TM just days away, here's some more love for espn.com's coverage of the happenings:

• Hey, it's the first Wicked Chops article on espn.com. [link]
• Listen to the Poker Edge: Predictions and analysis Friday and find out how to enter in and win a free 30 minute poker lesson from Phil Gordon. Also listen to all the N9^TM interviews. [link]
• We don't believe in philanthropy but Dennis Phillips does (we're covering the event as a TOKE tomorrow too). [link]
• Most think Scott Montgomery is a maniac. He would agree. [link]
• If you have a lot of time on your hands... [link]
• Great video interview of a surprisingly interesting and candid Ivan Demidov. [link]

First Member of Hostage Group The November Nine(TM) Aligns with Pros for Consulting Advice

One of The November Nine^TM, Dennis Phillips, has formally signed with Oracle Poker Consulting for 2008 WSOP final table advice.

When everyone first learned that the World Series of Poker would hold nine people hostage (later to be dubbed The November Nine^TM) from July until November this year, one of the first outcries from the public was, "Who will HELP these people???"

The first shoe has dropped (publicly at least) on Wednesday as big stack Dennis Phillips as aligned himself with Roy Winston and Joe McGowan of Oracle Poker Consulting for advice leading to the final table.

Says Dennis Phillips (of this cry for help?):

"I look forward to working with Roy & Joe and Oracle Poker Consulting over the next couple of months leading up to the Main Event. I'm confident in my game and don't intend to change it, but I'm also smart enough to know that you can always learn more. Roy and Joe's help and insight will be invaluable, not only in preparing for the final table but in helping me navigate through the many aspects of being in the poker spotlight."

How this may or may not impact Phillip's relationship with the other hostages, or when he is released back to the general poker public, remains to be seen. Will he suffer from the Stockholm Syndrome? Will he bank $9M? Will he be good or bad for poker? As John Wetton might say, only time will tell.

Read the full press release in the WCP Forum here.

2008 WSOP Main Event Debuts on ESPN Tonight

Hopefully ESPN's profiles tonight will cover more of this girl and less of some schlub you'll never hear of again at the featured table. 

With the more entertaining than normal prelim events out of the way, we begin our path towards The November Nine^TM as ESPN begins airing the 2008 WSOP Main Event tonight.

Featured tonight will be drunken douchebag Scotty Nguyen, Gavin Smith, Fucking Erick Lindgren, and Daniel Negreanu (who suffered yet another ridiculous beat in being eliminated).

Hopefully ESPN also found some time to cover her, her, her, and her.

Relive all of our 2008 WSOP Main Event coverage here.

Odds on 2008 WSOP November 9(TM) - UPDATE

Editor's Note: When Harrah's came to us back in April this year and said, "Hey Entities, we're going to do this thingy with the 2008 WSOP Main Event final table were we delay it till November. Can you help us come up with a cool way to brand it?" we said "Ok...but it will be our trademark." They said, "We guess that's aieght." So we said, "All right well we're naming it 'The November 9^TM'." And Harrah's was like, "Coolio. We're Audi 500." *

It took a little longer than we would've expected, but we finally have some odds on The November 9^TM for the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Dennis Phillips, who we are slowing changing our opinion on and possibly upgrading to "Good for Poker^TM," leads "the^TM" way at 3/1. He's followed by Scott Montgomery at 4/1.

Our pick to win from the get-go, the guy you just can't get mad at although we may be downgrading to "Bad for Poker^TM" David "Chino" Rheem, is at 15/2. And with eight big blinds left, Tommy Rocky Horror Kelly Kim brings up the rear at 25/1.

Head over to Bodog Life here to view the rest of the odds. Discuss the odds or who you think has the best value in the WCP forum here.

* Conversation didn't quite happen like that. Or at all.

UPDATE: Tell us who you think will take it down. Head over to the WCP forum and cast a vote in our poll here. (Btw, the correct answer is Chino Rheem).

ESPN Kicks Off 2008 WSOP Programming Tonight with One Helluva Final Table

Phil Laak and hopefully Jen Tilly's breasts (above) will be among the big name pros you'll see tonight on ESPN when it airs Event No. 1 of the 2008 WSOP.

ESPN's 2008 World Series of Poker programming officially kicks off tonight at 8 pm ET with the big-name-loaded final table that had our lawyers rushing off to the patent office to claim The Year of the Pro^TM for us.

Going for his second WSOP bracelet in this year's debut event, the $10,000 Pot Limit Hold’em World Championship, was Mike Sexton, while Patrik Antonius, Phil Laak, Nenad "Serb" Medic, perennial runner-upper Andy Bloch, Mike Gracz's cell mate Chris Bell, and noted online players Amit "amak31" Makhija and Mike "sowersUNCC" Sowers all were gunning for their first.

One-time bracelet winner Kathy Liebert, a woman, was also at this final table but because we already told you this was a $10k buy-in World Championship event, we gave away the fact that she doesn't win tonight. Sorry for the spoiler.

But does she come in second??? Watch tonight to find out.

For chip counts going into the final table check out our coverage here.

If you don't remember who won and don't want to spoil it, don't go here.

For a video preview of tonight's show go here.

BREAKING: Tiffany Michelle's Statement on Poker News and Tony G

Tiffany Michelle Official Statement - Thursday, July 17, 2008

It is with great sadness that I've had to see my accomplishment of finishing 17th in the WSOP Main Event clouded by slanderous accusations and inaccurate information. I have been humbled by the overwhelming support from friends, fans and the media and for their sake as well as mine I feel as if I must respond and bring clarity to the situation.

There is no denying the positive press and exposure I brought Pokernews by wearing their logo and being their representative during the 2008 World Series of Poker main event. After such a successful series, I am greatly dismayed by Pokernews' subsequent actions. No one has ever questioned my integrity before this and I am so distressed that Pokernews is using their powerful public forum to spin such a negative recounting of the facts of what occurred during the final two days of the main event.

ESPN's WSOP Broadcast Starts Tuesday with Star-Studded Event No. 1 Final Table

Patrik Antonius (above) among the big names you'll see at the final table on ESPN this Tuesday.

ESPN will kick off its 2008 World Series of Poker broadcast on Tuesday, July 22, at 8 p.m. with the big-name-loaded final table from Event No. 1, the $10,000 buy-in Pot Limit Hold'em World Championship. This is the first of 17 weeks of consecutive Tuesday-night WSOP programming, all leading up to the semi-live coverage of the $9.1 Million final table main event on Nov. 11.

Among the final nine from Event No. 1 were Andy Bloch (chipleader going into final table), Nenad Medic, Mike Sexton, Patrik Antonius, Phil Laak, Kathy Liebert, a woman, and online phenom Mike "SowersUNCC" Sowers.

Go here for a preview of ESPN's WSOP coverage and broadcast schedule.

Get all the action from this year's WSOP with our 2008 WSOP Mega Link (give it a minute or two to fully load).

David "Chino" Rheem Downgraded to Potentially Bad for Poker

 

This one hurts.

Turns out that David "Chino" Rheem, our random pick from the get-go to win the 2008 WSOP Main Event, has a warrant out for his arrest in Florida.

Chino, who got his start in Florida at the same casino as Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi (who was sweating him big time en route to the final table), has multiple convictions, including felonies, in Broward County. According to the Sun Sentinal:

Eight years ago in Broward County, Rheem was convicted of dealing in stolen property and burglary, both felonies, as well as larceny and possession of marijuana, court records show. He was sentenced to four months jail time and 30 months probation.

He also failed to appear in court on a 2003 misdemeanor trespassing charge in Hollywood, according to state criminal records, leading to a court order for his arrest. The warrant for his arrest remains active.

Chino, come on man. However, since this site is all about the Entities and our agenda, we're willing to overlook this, since he was our pick and all. In fact, we'd be willing to bet that Chino has since learned from his earlier indiscretions and has since set up multiple inner city rec centers to help mold the minds of youths in Florida. "Learn from my mistakes," he probably tells them, "and you too one day can win the World Series of Poker..." is what he says.

Good job, Chino. Readers, if there's a lesson or two to be learned from all this: 1) get on our good side, and 2) have a friendly sounding nickname like "Chino." Can't get mad at a guy named "Chino," can you?

Read the full Sun Sentinal here.

PokerNews VP Robert Huxley On Tiffany Michelle, Last Sunday Night

PokerNews VP Robert Huxley on his Facebook page Sunday night, before he unleashed Tony G's personal piss-storm went public with PokerNews' grievance against Tiffany Michelle, her agent at Suited Connections and UltimateBet.

2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table Is Set

These guys are it.

The 2008 WSOP Main Event has it's "November Nine^TM" as the final table is finally set.

The chip leader for the next four months will be Dennis Phillips, stacked at 26,420,000. Phillips has been impressive and aggressive all today, playing the role of big stack well.

Our pick David "Chino" Rheem was up and down, but will go into final table play 7th overall with just under 11M.

The unofficial chip counts of the other remaining players are Ivan Demidov (23,920,000), Peter Eastgate (19,300,000), Scott Montgomery (19,300,000), Ylon Schwartz (13,040,000), Darus Suharto (13,020,000), Craig Marquis (10,120,000), and Kelly Kim (2,900,000).

All in all, this final table is a major bad beat considering the star power going into the last two days. But hey, that's poker.

Jeff Madsen Goes Human Bowling

In the Rio Amazon room late last night during the 2008 WSOP Main Event, white rapper Jeff Madsen took on a prop bet from Tom "durrrr" Dwan. Don't know the stakes, but the bet was Madsen setting up a bunch of inflatable Milwaukee's Best Light cans and plowing them down...with his body.

See below how Madsen did before "the law" got involved.

VIDEO: Jeff Madsen human bowling prop bet

Video a Wicked Chops Poker/Shelley Rubenstein joint production. All rights reserved.

David "Chino" Rheem Gets Sucked Out On, Then Sucks Out

In a hand you'd only typically see on Stars, David "Chino" Rheem called an all-in against Ivan Demidov. Rheem had 10-10, the Russian guy 9-9.

The flop gave Chino a set, but the turn gave Ivan a flush. The hit cut Rheem's stack in half, as he's got 8.4M and Demidov now has 18.7M.

That hit was very Bad for Poker^TM.

Our very first vlog from Rheem coming soon. (vlog now below)

UPDATE: Just a few hands later, Chino sucked out a straight against Joe Bishop on the river. Another Stars hand. We're down to 10.

VIDEO: David "Chino" Rheem at 2008 WSOP Main Event

Gert Anderson Was Actually The Last Ginger Standing(TM)

Sick.

All right, we prematurely called The Last Ginger Standing^TM not once but twice, mostly because we just wanted to stop writing about those creepy fuckers.

But alas, what's fair is fair, what's right is right, and what's ginger is ginger. So Gert Anderson actually was the The Last Ginger Standing^TM at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Congratulations, Gert. You stole approximately 6,800 souls on your quest. Way to go.

Photo credit: WorldSeriesofPoker.com

David "Chino" Rheem - Good for Poker(TM)?

We picked David "Chino" Rheem to win the 2008 WSOP Main Event almost two weeks ago.

On the surface, this one is a no-brainer.

Having randomly picked David "Chino" Rheem from the get-go, we're naturally inclined to say he's definitely Good for Poker^TM. And by "Good for Poker^TM" we mean "Good for Wicked Chops Poker."

However, it's not such a clear-cut case.

We all know that the Asian countries are better poker players. Kind of like how Arabs make better terrorists. It's just in their DNA. So really, do we need any more over-confident hyper-loose-aggressive Asians from Commerce flooding the scene?

On the other hand, Chino is definitely one of the more charismatic figures left. He's a good sport. And we picked him from the beginning. He should make good TV. And he was our pick from Day 1.

Chino is looking good for the final table now, as at 10:15pm PST we're down to 11 and he is third overall with just shy of 14M.

Tiffany Michelle Goes Down, Out of 2008 WSOP Main Event

Tiffany Michelle wins the coveted The Last Woman Standing^TM title at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

In what is definitely a Bad for Poker^TM moment, FOWCP Tiffany Michelle, a woman, and easily the most marketable (read: hot) and Good for Poker^TM player left in the field, was eliminated a couple hours ago.

However, let's not overlook Tiffany's accomplishment. On percentages alone, her elimination in 17th place was the best finish ever in the history of the WSOP Main Event.      

Sure, Annie Duke finished 10th while 8 months pregnant, but let's just say that we're working on that too, if you know what we mean. Eh? Eh?

Anyway, Tiffany Michelle is now the best female poker player in the world.

Girl on Girl with Tiffany Michelle
Tiffany Michelle on Kara Scott on Tiffany Michelle on Kara Scott

 

Dennis Phillips - Bad for Poker(TM)?

Dennis Phillips wouldn't so much have a "Moneymaker Effect" as he would have a "Jerry Yang Effect."

Listen, Dennis Phillips may be the nicest guy in the world. He may have 12 super hot college-aged daughters who give bjs to all house guests. He may have created the polio vaccine. He probably stormed the beaches at Normandy. He could very well be a great U.S. American.

But if Dennis Phillips ends up the winner of the 2008 WSOP Main Event, that would probably be Bad for Poker^TM.

Again, no offense to Phillips. He could've invented the Internet for all we know. Or at least Internet porn. Perhaps he gives really sensual foot rubs. With lots of oil. Then softly kisses your neck. Caressing your hair...while blowing...in your ear.

Oh Dennis! You are such a bad, bad boy!

Wtf.

But Phillips has more of that earthy "just won the lottery now going to buy a 14 acre farm in Iowa" than that "let's go pop bottles with models for the next year and promote poker like a rock star" kind of look.

Whatever the case, we'll know in four long freaking months soon, as Phillips looks primed for a final table appearance, currently stacked over 11M.

Owen Crowe, who would've been Good for Poker^TM, was just eliminated in 15th place...

Tiffany Michelle Gets Railed By Ho and a Porn Star Today

It's 'Girls Gone Deep' today with last year's last woman standing Maria Ho and porn star Samantha Ryan (on right) at the WSOP to rail Tiffany Michelle.

Poker hottie and The Last Woman Standing^TM Tiffany Michelle may be rollercoasting it today in the chip department at the 2008 WSOP Main Event but she's kicking ass when it comes to hot chicks who are railing her. Among them, her hot lover/friend Maria Ho, who notably went the deepest of any female at last year's WSOP ME, and adult entertainer and model Samantha Ryan, who notably went the deepest of any female in flicks like Ass Fanatics, Meat My Ass #3 and Throat Gaggers.

More photos from today below.

For more of Samantha Ryan, check out an SFW shot of her after the jump here, and for the good stuff start with a little Google Image Search . . . with SafeSearch off (NSFW).

2008 WSOP Update: Dennis Phillips Goes Up, Tiffany Michelle Goes Down

FOWCP Tiffany Michelle hanging in there on Day 7 of the 2009 WSOP Main Event (photo courtesy of Wicked Chops Poker).

We'll have more to come shortly, but Dennis Phillips has built his stack up over 14M at the latest break.

Poker hottie and The Last Woman Standing^TM Tiffany Michelle took a hit and now has a little over 5M.

Our pick to win, David "Chino" Rheem^TM (sorry dude, but had to trademark your name) is hovering around 7M.

And Brandon Cantu is now down to just over 4M.

In somewhat related news, when the 27 players started today, we had 3 Canadians, 2 Danes, 1 Swede, 1 Russian, 1 Romanian, 1 Brit and 18 U.S. Americans left. Draw your own conclusions about how fucking awesome U.S. America is from that.

24 remain...

2008 WSOP Main Event: Dennis Phillips, Craig Marquis Are Chip Leaders With 27 Left

Brandon Cantu has his sights set on the Main Event title, or maybe just being this year's Lee Watkinson-Markholt.

Soooo...let's start the search for this year's Jerry Yang and Lee Watkinson-Markholt now.

With the elimination of Mike "The Mouth" Matusow in 30th place (brutal, on a flop of A-A-5, both he and Paul Snead checked, the turn was a 9, Snead moved all-in, Matusow called...The Mouth holding A-J, Snead A-9...ouch), all of the major headliner names are gone.

Even Cristian Dragomir The Fragrance is out.

With 27 remaining, the two chip leaders are Dennis Phillips (11,910,000) and Craig Marquis, who may or may not be related to Vanilla Ice (11,460,000). Phillips certainly has some Jerry Yang appeal (i.e. no appeal), but history has shown us that the chip leader with 27 left won't be the chip leader at the end unless your name is Jamie Gold. An interesting story thread could've been all the young Internet pros going deep, like Marquis, but lots of those guys (David Benefield, Gbecks) have been knocked out too, so oh well.

Phillips and Marquis are followed by the still running hot/looking hot FOWCP Tiffany Michelle with 9,755,000.

Our pick to win it, David "Chino" Rheem, continues his steady climb with 8,280,000. Aside from us picking him since the beginning, Rheem will be interesting as he should make "good TV^TM" since he makes Kenny Tran look like the offspring of Humble Pie and Modest Mouse.

And the likely pick to be this year's Lee Watkinson-Markholt, Brandon Cantu, 4,740,000.

Finally, the search for this year's Brad Kondracki starts and ends with Chris Klodnicki.

Get full chip counts here.

Brandon Cantu Is Chip Leader at Dinner Break

Mike "The Mouth" Matusow (foreground, wearing trademark cap and glasses) is running well in the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Quick update...at dinner break poker pro Brandon Cantu held the chip lead as the only player stacked over 10M (10.7 to be exact).

Our pick to win it, David "Chino" Rheem, is fifth overall with 6.8M. The Last Woman Standing^TM, Tiffany Michelle is sixth overall with just over 6.7M. And Mike "The Mouth" Matusow is stacked over 3.5M.

Only 35 remain and they're play down to 27.

THO Girl Is Back! Again!

Our favorite girl on the rail has returned.

We are very, very pleased to announce that our favorite Girl on the Rail, THO Girl, has returned again, and hopefully not for the last time. She needs to get her own menu category.

Anyway, gotta run and try to get an interview with this chick...

Phil Hellmuth on His Blow-Up Against The Fragrance and 45th Place Finish in the 2008 WSOP Main Event

We caught up with an admittedly "bitter" Phil Hellmuth right after his bust-out from the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

In a very raw vlog, Hellmuth discusses his blow-up with Cristian Dragomir The Fragrance and why he feels like he should not be out of the tourney just yet.

VIDEO: Phil Hellmuth on busting out of the 2008 WSOP Main Event

Like Gremlins They Multiplied

Andrew Bokos is The Last Ginger Standing^TM at the 2008 WSOP.

So Sean Davis is not The Last Ginger Standing^TM.

Maybe it's after midnight and he's been fed. Maybe water got on him. Whatever the case, another ginger has popped up at the 2008 WSOP Main Event. It's Andrew Bokos, a ginger.

Congratulations Andrew. He's currently stacked around 1.4M.

And thanks to reader "Nick" for pointing this out to us. It's readers like Nick that keep people like you safe at night.

Maya Antonius One Last Time at the 2008 WSOP

Maya Antonius right before her run as a hot girl going deep in the 2008 WSOP Main Event came to an end.

Sean Davis Wins The Last Ginger Standing(TM)

This ginger will not steal any more souls, or chips, at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

After a big time red scare yesterday, we are happy to report that there are no more gingers in the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Sean Davis, a ginger, was eliminated in 69th place, but before that happened, he earned the trophy of The Last Ginger Standing^TM.

Bravo, Sean. Bravo.

Phil Hellmuth's Ego Exits the 2008 WSOP Main Event

Phil Hellmuth during happier times at the 2008 WSOP.

The 2008 WSOP Main Event has suddenly become much less interesting, as Phil Hellmuth's ego's impressive run for bracelet #12 and world championship #2 has come to an end. Phil Hellmuth's ego has been eliminated in 45th place.

The biggest name now left in the field is Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, who has run his stack up to 3.2M. Nikolay Losev has regained the chip lead with just over 10M.

Tiffany Michelle Wins The Last Woman Standing(TM)

Tiffany Michelle is The Last Woman Standing^TM at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

No shocker here. With the elimination of Lisa Parsons, a woman, in 76th place, Tiffany Michelle, a woman, claims the title of The Last Woman Standing^TM at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

A relatively new figure on the competitive tourney circuit, Michelle has now catapulted herself to the rarified space of best female poker player in the world.

In a not really ironic twist, as we've previously noted, Michelle is lesbian lovers super-tight with last year's The Last Woman Standing^TM, Maria Ho!!!.

Michelle is still hovering around the chip lead, currently stacked at 3.36M. Previously unmentioned-in-one-single-post-on-our-site Gert Andersen has assumed the chip lead with 7.2M. Our pick to win it, David "Chino" Rheem, is stacked at 3.64M. Phil Hellmuth is up to 1.6M. And Mike "The Mouth" Matusow is right behind him at 1.52M.

Eliminations are rapid. Only 62 remain...

Check out Michele Lewis' exclusive 'girl on girl' interview with Tiffany Michelle at the WSOP here.

2008 WSOP Day 5: Gingers Flame Out, Hot Girl Goes Deep, Hellmuth Blow Up

Cristian Dragomir The Fragrance (above center) put Phil Hellmuth on mega-tilt, earning the Poker Brat a one-orbit penalty.

What a day at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

With a ton of notable names coming into play today, the hype/anticipation levels were high. Plus, a bunch of gingers were in contention, as well as some hot girls going deep, and our random pick to win it from the beginning, David "Chino" Rheem, meaning we would have no shortage of stuff to make fun of cover.

When play wrapped, some dude we never heard of whose names sounds like an uppity Brit but is actually an Asian from LA, Mark Ketteringham, ended as chip leader stacked at 5.7M.*

Ketteringham is followed by Andrew Brokos (4,080,000) and our favorite hot girl going deep, Tiffany Michelle, with (3,800,000). Michelle is looking really, really good this year...to win the coveted The Last Woman Standing^TM title, which really is what the girls are playing for...because it's certainly not the Main Event title...because...seriously...have you looked at the history of WSOP results? Are women even trying in the Main Event? Are they even entering it?

In great news for anyone who has a soul, many of the top gingers bowed out of the field today. On the last hand of the night, Mark Vos, a ginger, ran his A-K into Dennis Phillips' A-A, sending what is likely the best hope for gingers around the world to the rail.

Also on the last hand at the featured table, Phil Hellmuth finally had a Hellmuthian Moment (phrase credit: Dr. Pauly) against Cristian Dragomir The Fragrance. Dragomir raised pre-flop, Hellmuth popped him back, and Dragomir made the call. The flop came 10 high, Hellmuth checked and The Fragrance fired. Hellmuth mucked A-K face up. Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, sitting next to Hellmuth, begged The Fragrance to show. The Fragrance turned over 10-4. Hellmuth went ballistic, calling The Fragrance an "idot" and "the worst player in history" (what do you expect, he's a scent!). Hellmuth continued the tirade and was smacked with a one orbit penalty that will take effect when play begins tomorrow.

Anyway that was exhausting to type, so just know that only 79 remain, our pick to win it is still hanging strong with 2.3M, and you can get full chip counts here.

* All chip counts unofficial at post time.

Tiffany Michelle on Kara Scott on Tiffany Michelle on Kara Scott

And then there were three.

Kara Scott was just eliminated in 104th place, meaning only three remain for The Last Woman Standing^TM at the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Before that elimination though, Kara, who hosts EPT tourneys, and Tiffany Michelle, who hosts for Poker News, squared off in some hot girl on girl hosting action.

The action between them was fast and furious^TM. While we know Kara won't win The Last Woman Standing^TM, will she win the battle of the poker hottie hosts?

Tiffany Michelle on Kara Scott on Tiffany Michelle on Kara Scott

Good For Poker(TM)

In what can only be described as "good for poker^TM," Shawn "Bad for Poker" Sheikhan has been eliminated from the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

That loud "whew" you just heard was Matt Maranz and the rest of the ESPN crew, knowing they won't have to put him on TV and do the "Shawn Sheikhan Story."

At the break, a different kind of red terror, Nikolay Losev, is the chip leader with 3,500,000.

Poker hottie Tiffany Michelle is sixth overall now with 3M. Cristian Dragomir The Fragrance is at 2,850,000. Our pick to win it David "Chino" Rheem is at 1,850,000. And Phil Hellmuth is back up to 1,280,000.

Get full chip counts here.

Deng Dong Is Gone

Deng Dong has been eliminated from the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Deng Dong is gone.

Carry on.

Uh Oh

This isn't cool. At all.

In what we can only assume is an all out assualt on the Entities who comprise Wicked Chops Poker, there are currently two gingers in the top 10 chip counts. In fact, James McManus (above) is chip leader at post time stacked at 3.4M. The other ginger in the top 10 is Mark Vos, a ginger, with just over 2M. Fortunately for all involved that still have a soul, Super Ginger has been eliminated.

Of the hot girls going deep and contending for The Last Woman Standing^TM, Tiffany Michelle, a woman, still leads the pack stacked at 1.7M. Kara Scott, a woman, is at 345,000. In all, a surprisingly high total of five women remain. For this late in any tournament the WSOP Main Event, that's gotta be some sort of record. Probably smashes whatever the old record is, actually.

Mike "The Mouth" Matusow is currently at the featured table with 660,000. Also at 660,000 is Allen Cunningham. Our pick (now to win it) David "Chino" Rheem is at 1,880,000. Cristian Dragomir The Fragrance is still doing well with 2,150,000. Shawn "Bad for Poker" Sheikhan has 1,710,000. And still in the hunt for bracelet #12 is Phil Hellmuth with 610,000.

And we are pleased to report that Deng Dong is still alive with 240,000.

Only 144 remain. Get full chip counts here.

2008 WSOP Day 4 Wrap: Pros, Gingers, and Hot Girls Go Deep

Things are looking good for those hoping for a star-studded final table. Then again, we saw this last year, and it didn't quite work out that way.

Regardless, the remaining 195 names in the 2008 WSOP Main Event have plenty of potential.

Leading the pack is the Mormony named (and new Davidson Matthew Club member) Jeremy Joseph with 3.1M. He's followed by Cristian Dragomir, who might actually be a fragrance, with 2,065,000. In third overall is our pick to go deep, David "Chino" Rheem, with 2M. We've been known for our wicked predicting chops, but our Rheem call may be the coup de gras for us if he keeps this going.

Big named big stacks abound, which is really "good for poker^TM." Some of those keeping The Year of the Pro^TM alive include (all unofficial chip counts for now) Brandon Cantu (1,580,000), Shawn "Bad for Poker" Sheikhan (1,500,000), Alex Outhred (1,500,000), Mark Vos, a ginger (1,373,000), Gus Hansen (1,360,000), Victor Ramdin (1,350,000), Allen Cunningham (1,270,000), Matt Matros (1,120,000), Jeff Madsen (770,000), Chip Jett (620,000, Phil Hellmuth (570,000), Mike "The Mouth" Matusow (550,000), and Hoyt Corkins (330,000).

Hot girls Tiffany Michelle and Kara Scott are still going deep with 909,000 and 355,000 respectively.

And Deng Dong still remains with 425,000.

Cards fly^TM again sometime tomorrow.

Get full (and continually updated) chip counts here.

Tiffany Michelle Wants to Be the Last Ho Standing

Tiffany Michelle looking good, looking good going into Day 5 of the Main Event.

Forget The Last Woman Standing^TM, FOWCP Tiffany Michelle told us just a minute ago that she wants to be the last "Ho" standing in the 2008 WSOP Main Event, a not-so-veiled reference to her lesbian lover close friend Maria Ho who won the women's title at last year's Main Event. Or in general terms, finished 38th place overall.

Tiffany, who ended the day with 909,000 in chips, is just one of five women left in the field, and is joined by Kara Scott as the only two really hot girls still in. Of note, one other woman is doable but more in a "girl next door" or "please don't think us getting it on last night meant anything but if you want to have sex right now, I'm kinda drunk and I think you're sweet, so let's go do it" kind of way.

Below are some photos from today of Tiffany and Kara, including one with Tiffany hanging between hands with our good friend Alex Outhred who heads into Day 5 with 1.38 million in chips.

All Right, This Shit is Getting Scary

Ok, they really are multiplying.

We've dubbed this The Year of the Pro^TM and The Year of Hot Girls Going Deep^TM, but the 2008 WSOP Main Event may really be The Year of The Gingers' Revenge^TM.

This is out of control.

First, we have Jon "Pearljammer" Turner, who is so sly in his gingerness he's actually gotten us to like him. He ran it up to over a mil but recently busted.

Then we have the Super Ginger, Cory Albertson. Super Ginger was wearing orange shades, jacket, and was even sitting at an "orange" table yesterday. He's doing well at 640,000.

Next to him is James McManus. James is responsible for sucking the soul out of Positively Fifth Street author, James McManus. See, they're not even the same guy. Creepy. What did he do with the real McManus? We may never know. Ginger McManus is among the big stacks with 1.6M.

Then there's WSOP bracelet winner Mark Vos. With a disposition that some may call "fiery," Vos has been among the chip leaders from the get go, and is currently stacked at 1,115,000.

And it gets worse. Below is a ginger who we don't even know. Plus we saw this guy again. He's still in. And there's more where he came from. Even Johnny Chan is going ginger (although you can't tell with the cap on, but remember, he has red hair). Yes, as we all know, Asians are immune to the ginger gene, but being ginger is so "cool" right now during the 2008 WSOP Main Event, even legends like Chan have decided to "go orange." It's like when Will & Grace and Queer Eye for the Straight Guy were popular in 2003. Everyone followed the trend. Let's just say we did some things that year that we don't talk about. Ever. Fucking trends.

   

PokerListings Out-Wicked Chops Wicked Chops

Look what we found going through PokerListings.com's photos from Day 3 of the 2008 WSOP. It's our new favorite photo of Pearljammer, a ginger, taken by Matt Showell.

Well played Matt. You're hired.

Check out more PL photos here and check out their live WSOP coverage here.