The Paradisepoker Room

August 8, 2008

The paradisepoker room marked Prock's fifth WSOP money finish overall, and fourth WSOP money finish in a limit game. Earn 250 Ladbrokes Poker Points before 11:59 GMT, Wednesday July 30 to qualify. The minimum buy-in is $100,000, the maximum $250,000, and the mimimum for rebuys is $50,000. Rouhani bet 40,000 on the (Q-Clubs) turn and Courtney called. Vanessa Selbst has to be the one to watch in this year's Main Paradise Poker Event. As with Hellmuth in the H.O.R.S.E. The ladies paradise poker event this year didn't draw more than last year's but less than 100 players short of last years total. Up and down from there, Dwan finally succumbed when his top two pair made on the turn, then lost out to Jean Claude Moussa's top pair and a flush draw when a flush materialized on the river. Stars' WCOOP annually offers the widest selection of tournament formats, and the paradise store lineup is no exception. Leeann Tweeden also makes her debut as the series' new host in the July 14 premiere. At last check, three players were battling for the title – Scott Sitron, David Daneshgar and Dan Heimiller. The runner-up? Greg 'FBT' Mueller.

That list includes Ted Forrest and Chris 'Jesus' Ferguson. But at the end of Day 1A, Mark Garner didn't have to worry about that. Kachan finished in ninth place for $7,526.

Whether one is a paradise poker recreational player or a seasoned pro, the anticipation of bringing home the title immortalized by the legends of the game - Moss, Unger, Brunson, and Chan – takes on a life of its own. Only moments later, Joe De Niro proved that not only could he overcome A-Q, he could win with it. Heads up, Matros had the advantage: (A-Spades)(Q-Hearts) to (A-Hearts)(9-Hearts), but the (4-Hearts)(K-Hearts)(9-Spades) flop put Cole ahead with a pair of nines and gave him the nut flush draw as well. Going into heads-up play, Scott Sitron had the chip advantage, 4,874,000 to 3,265,000. Gilles Smadja called with the nut flush and gutshot draws, holding (K-Diamonds)(J-Hearts). Dollinger paired his king on fifth street and led out once again, sending Hang deep into the tank. The (A-Hearts) turn was a good card for Svensson, but the (8-Clubs) and Simpson's flush sent him home.

The final preliminary preceding the WSOP Main Event, Event #53, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em, began its second day with 72 players still vying for the $278,180 first prize. When I asked Kathy if she had any goals to reach in her paradise poker career she replied, "I'm going to win the Main Event at the World Series." I believe she means it, and with her impressive poker resume, it is more than a possibility. Over 50 poker players will go down in history as bracelet winners at the 2008 WSOP. And that may be just one reason why this event drew such a large field.

Four other FTOPS IX events will serve up at least a million each in guarantee winnings: Event 1, $200+16 No-Limit Hold'em; Event 10, $300+22 No-Limit Hold'em; Event 12, $1,000+60 No-Limit Hold'em 6-max; and Event 17, $300+22 No-Limit Hold'em 6-max (w/ Rebuys). Hellmuth's king kicker played, and Rossi was busted. Corwin Cole took a narrow lead to the final table but was eliminated in fifth place, not long before a paradise poker tip. Prominent players such as Kathy Liebert, JJ Liu, Kristy Gazes, Sabyl Landrum, Clonie Gowen, Vanessa Selbst and many others have consistently been paving the way for those who may follow.