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 he Guardian G2 Poker Column |
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| Victoria
Coren |
| Monday June 25,
2007 |
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This morning, I ate bacon with maple syrup for breakfast, lost $500
in 10 minutes of playing blackjack, and considered buying a T-shirt with a
jewelled tiger's face on it. Yes: it's Las Vegas time again. The World Series
of Poker 2007.
A smaller field is expected for the main event, due to
draconian changes in American internet gaming legislation. I feel sorry for the
thousands who won "packages" on PokerStars.com and (instead of collecting the
usual ticket to the world championship, plus free hotel room) have been given
the monetary equivalent instead. Many of them balked at actually spending
$15,000 on a Vegas holiday, and simply kept the money. Financial prudence
versus the chance of a lifetime; I bet they would rather not have had the
choice. |
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One person who didn't have the choice is
German professional Katja Thater, who is (like me) sponsored by PokerStars for
this year's WSOP and couldn't just keep the money. Just as well: Katja is on
terrific form. She made the final of the ladies' tournament, an event that has
rather underlined its own outdated status in 2007 by offering the winner a free
makeover. I thought it was a practical joke, but no: the organisers really did
decide that a $262,000 top prize might not be enough to attract the ladies, so
they threw in a lipstick lesson as well.
As if that weren't enough to
show this tournament up for the anachronism it has become, Katja (after
finishing fifth) went on to take a magnificent first place in the Razz; not
just an open event, but one for particularly serious professionals. The message
is clear, boys. At world championship level, it may be still be fun for us to
have special soft fields and free mascara, but it certainly isn't necessary.
Your can read more byAnthony Holden at his website
www.biggerdeal.com |
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