TranquilChaos final table!

Devin "TranquilChaos" Porter has made the final table in Event Number 9 of the World Series of Poker, 6 handed no-limit hold'em tournament. A couple of three outers were hit by opponents on the final table bubble. Without this bad luck TC would have had a much healthy stack. But he certainly is still in it.

Great job and hopefully Devin will bring home the bracelet when the tournament resumes tomorrow

The World Series of Poker

The 2008 World Series of Poker is now underway and unfortunately I won't be among those participating this year. As I reviewed the list of events some things occurred to me.

It appears that there is a more diverse selection of games offered, but there are still too many no limit hold 'em tournaments. It seems to me that by having too many of the same type of tournament it takes away some of the prestige of winning one. I believe that there shouldn't be more than one tournament at any specific buy-in.

I also wish that there was at least one event for five card stud, five card draw and Kansas City Lowball. These are important games in the history of poker and a single tournament at even a thousand dollar buy-in would be a nice acknowledgement of that fact and a way of keeping the games alive. Given the new hyper-aggressive style practiced by so many players today, there's a decent chance that a no-limit or pot limit version of either five card stud or draw could gain a lot of new players. Many of the practioners of that style love to take any chance they get to show they have bigger balls than everyone else, these games would be right up their alley in my opinion.

Good luck to everyone making the trip to Las Vegas this year. I hope it's a safe, fun and profitable time.

Tipping during tournaments

A story I saw in the most recent Cardplayer magazine discussed a couple of points of views concerning tipping by players following a live tournament. The main issue was whether tips should be withheld as a percentage of the prize pool or whether it was proper to leave it up to individual players to leave a tip.

I do not dispute that could service should be rewarded. What bothered me about the story was the statements by tournament directors that dealers would not be properly compensated without a withheld tip. Since the story was talking about the World Series of Poker, I will direct my comments toward that tournament and this issue.

The World Series of Poker, whether viewed overall or just looking at the main event, is the largest, most lucrative poker tournament in the world. Harrah's, in addition to the revenue generated by the buy-in by the players, makes money by selling sponsorships and broadcasting rights. The money paid by ESPN to televise events is undboubedly huge. Yet Harrah's, through the tournament directors and it's spokespeople, seems to believe that the players are the ones responsible for ensuring that Harrah's employees are properly compensated for the work they do. That is insane. That responsibility lies with those running the tournament. The tournament directors do not add extra value to the prize pool. Instead, they seem to be quite intent on further removing money from the player's end while pocketing huge profits. I hope to play the World Series soon. If I were fortunate to make the money, I would be willing to tip those dealers whose work deserved. However, it is wrong for the tournament directors to try to shift an expense which is legitimatley the owners onto the players.