|
|
|
World Series Of Poker 2005 Editor's Reports |
LAS VEGAS June 2, 2005 July 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
|
Day 3 - Through the bubble 11th July
2005
Midday on the third real day of play was a moment much
longer than it should have been. With 569 players left we were at the "bubble".
This is the stage in a tournament that is reached when the next few players to
go out do so without recieving any prize money, the 560 finishers being
rewarded in this tournament. Sixty full tables were forced to play
hand-for-hand, meaning no table could progress onto the next deal until every
table in the tournament had finished their hand, thus ensuring equal play to
all players in danger of exiting.
Play started late for this
tortuous period which had the tension raising the roof as each table signified
the completion of the hand by the dealer
standing to attention so that the tournament controller could see that
everyone had finished their play. Each hand took at least 6 minutes and a 45
minute late start meant that the "bubble man", Carl Ygborn, exited at 14:45.
The pain of the ordeal for the poor man was relieved by Harrahs, the company
that owns the Rio and the World Series, donating him a seat in nex years event,
worth $10,000!
After the hand-for-hand torture, 50
minutes was put back on the clock so as not to disadvantage the players under
the threat of ever increasing blinds and antes. From this point
onwards in the tournament, where every player was now in the money, all
electronic devices like IPods and phones were banned. People like Phil Ivey had
to give up their trademark ghetto blaster headphones that isolated them from
their surroundings.
Tension fell away after the bubble was passed but
this only accelerated the rate of players' demise from the tournament. All the
short stacked players now, and correctly, attacked hands with what little chips
they had left. The biggest story of the day was the progress of the defending
World Champion Greg Raymer who steadily
built his chips into a final Day 3 chip
lead.
Over at the Bellagio a $1000 tournament amounted to $200,000
prize fund. British player Bruce Bravery
made it to the final nine with a very low stack of chips. To his delight
players busted themselves out against the chip leaders until when five left he
got all-in with his pair of threes. The caller was Phil Hellmuth who turned
over K-K, way in front. An extra sweet flop produced a three and Bruce more
than doubled through to be in position to deal. A split was arranged and
$25,000 was on its way back to Bournemouth. "Brilliant", said Bruce, "Ibrought
my family along for this trip and now its all free!".
Back at the Rio,
in the corner of the main hall, event #43 started, the $1500 No-limt holdem
event. Marcel Luske and Eric Seidel found
themselves on the last two tables after 831 starters had narrowed down to 18
players. Play continues tomorrow.
Play continued until 01:10 when
there were 185 players left. Chips Day 3.
Pictures from today Day 3. Players who made it
to the Prize list.
|
Next days report |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|