The action is heating up
By Bob Harkins, MSNBC.com
Posted July 11, 7 p.m. ET As the blinds and antes continue to rise, and some players’ chip stacks dwindle, the action is picking up at the World Series of Poker. A lot more players are taking chances with decent hands in an effort to double up and have a better chance to survive the day. The dealers’ cry of “All in and call!” are being heard much more frequently across the room, sometimes three or four right on top of each other, keeping the ESPN camera crews hopping. | |
Bob Nasset, a retired Floridian, didn’t waste any time at all, going all in on the very first hand, right after he sat down. Of course he started the day with only $400 in chips, so he was unable to even cover the blinds, which were at $500-$1000 to start off.
Nasset took a shot with his king-3 suited, but was ousted with little fanfare.
“It was my best shot at that point,” Nasset said. “I had to go all in at that point to get maximum value for my chips. The very next hand, chances are I wouldn’t have as good a starting hand.”
Nasset, 60, who grew up in California, says he’s been playing poker for more than 40 years, but this was his first time playing in the main event.
“We could play in San Diego at 18 in the card rooms,” he said. “It was a way to get through college.”
Now, with a full day ahead of him, it’s a matter of deciding what to do next.
Either poker: “Oh hell, there’s a ($1,000-buy-in) tournament at 12 o’clock, so I’ll probably look into that. … I still a couple days in town so let’s see if I can make up that entry fee.”
Or outdoor activities: “I’ll also check out the golf course, they can get me on until 4:30, so lots of options.”
KID POKER
With his outgoing personality and friendly demeanor, poker star Daniel Negreanu seems to always attract a crowd. That’s probably why he was seated at the feature table today.
Negreanu, a Canadian, chatted amiably with a spectator wearing a Canadian national team hockey jersey, the man saying he drove for 48 hours to get to Las Vegas.
Negreanu talked hockey with the man for a bit, then later noticed a fellow player at his table working on a crossword puzzle.
“I’ve never seen that before,” he laughed , before getting out of his chair to check out the man’s progress.
Negreanu was one of several well-known pros doing well in the early stages of Wednesday’s action, which also included J.C. Tran, Ted Forrest, Gus Hansen, Chad Brown, and former main event champions Chris Moneymaker, Chris Ferguson, Robert Varkonyi and Carlos Mortensen.
Five-time bracelet winner Allen Cunningham, and 2005 runner-up Steve Dannenman were not so fortunate, however, busting out before the first break.
On the celebrity side of things, “Seinfeld” actor Jason Alexander was eliminated today, while former NHL player Rick Tocchet, who is awaiting sentencing on his guilty plea to running a gambling ring, did not show up. Tocchet's chip stack was blinded off in his absence until he was eliminated.
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