Many of the ESPN episodes of WSOP 2009 are already on YouTube and today I picked out one featuring hands of final table participants Phil Ivey, Jeff Shulman, and Darvin Moon.

Moon openly admits he’s not as good as anyone else at the table after scooping a huge pot off of Antonio Esfandiari.  He does sound like a guy who has been running great from everything you hear, but great runs are what many of the recent huge field champs have called on.

Shulman won a big all-in with KK vs. AK.  Meanwhile, Phil Ivey takes two large pots in the video by hitting trips.  I’ve yet to see how he feel so far because as of this clip, he was in second place of 36 I believe.

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Darvin Moon and the November 9 Approaching

The clip today does have some good content though. Some of the highlights include Peter Eastgate picking off a stone cold bluff, Lindgren flopping a boat against a set, Lindgren being reprimanded by Norman Chad for not betting his hand (agreed that he should have), and Phil Ivey imitating unibomber Phil Laak but actually winning his hand.

I’m trying to dig up some footage of Mr. Universe, Phil Ivey, in more hands as we draw closer to the November 9. Two months away – set your calendars.

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Eric Lindgren Says Get More Chips

Darvin Moon is listed at 17/10 and Eric Buchman is at 3/1 which makes Ivey’s odds all the more impressive.

The players behind Ivey are listed at pretty long odds.  Antoine Saout who is right under Ivey is at 12/1.  Last place is James Akenhead at 6m+.  He’s being put at 22/1.

Ivey faces a big climb but he is fully capable of maneuvering his chips into position to win.  Unfortunately, he will have to be more aggressive and thus take more chances which will put his tournament life at risk.  Here’s hoping he doesn’t get bad beat.

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Odds of Phil Ivey Winning in November

Jeff Schulman, editor of Card Player Magazine, spiced things up with some outrageous comments.  The primary message was Schulman said he would throw away the Main Event Bracelet if he won because the bracelet is so ugly.

What?  Sounds like Schulman is just being stupid.  He is not throwing that bracelet away.  If nothing else, sell it and donate the money to charity.  He also said he’d never play again if he won.  Well I hope Schulman gets out ASAP.  The thing I don’t get is why play if he has so much disdain for the WSOP?  I’d like to hear some of his rationalizations.

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November Nine Set: Ivey 7th, Schulman Talks

We don’t have to worry about nerves getting the best of Ivey as he’s the most fearless player in the game, but the one kryptonite could be someone (most likely an amateur) with a big stack going on a huge run ala Jerry Yang or Jaime Gold. Ivey undoubtedly knows he is under a great deal of pressure but he also knows that many are pulling for 2009 to be the year of Ivey (remember he already has 2 bracelets this year).

The stars are aligned. Now all he has to do is get past 28 others including The Magician, Antonio Esfandiari. Antonio is alive but likely soon to exit as he’s at the bottom after losing nearly 2.5 million chips from yesterday.

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He’s So Close! Can Ivey Win The 2009 WSOP?

Peter Eastgate and Prahlad Friedman are in the 50-75 range. Dennis Phillips and Antonio Esfandiari are looking even better with both placing in the top 35.

I have a very good feeling about Ivey. He’s much different from other pros in that he doesn’t play with fear. He has ice in his veins and a cut throat mentality at the table. A lot of other players freeze up their play once the field shrinks as they fear getting knocked out. I have to admit that this would probably be me.

My strategy would be to make as much money as possible. I’m a money man. I would love to have the most prestigious bracelet in the world but my eyes would focus solely on raising my increments of money – even at the final table. I’d probably only act on the nuts or near nuts. Of course, I may actually play different than I think but I do know lasting as far as possible would be my primary concern. I’m not a fame guy or a prestige guy. Just give me the cash.

Of course many of Ivey’s opponents are thinking more along the lines of me. I think Ivey is going to take advantage of these amateurs concern for finances and chip away off smaller chip stacks.

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WSOP 101: Making the Final Table

Here are some of the other recognizable names remaining in the WSOP Main Event:

Joe Hachem
Peter Eastgate
Prahlad Friedman
Dennis Phillips
Kenny Tran
Jordan Morgan
David Benyamine
Antonio Esfandiari
JC Tran

I am psyched to see who makes the final table. Unfortunately we won’t be able to see the conclusion until November (HATE IT!) but in the coming 1-3 days we will find out who will last to make that table which will be pretty exciting in itself.

Here is Ivey talking on his table from earlier in the tournament:

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185 WSOP Sole Survivors: Ivey, Hachem In

No doubt, he has a ways to go, but with so many chips Ivey only becomes more dangerous as he has more room to operate because he won’t have to make many decisions for his tournament life. In effect, other players will be playing under pressure.

Updating from yesterday, both JC Tran, Josh Arieh, and Kenny Tran are also in the top 25. 2007 second place finisher Paul Wasika (don’t know if he’s considered a pro) is also in the mix.

This may be the year of the pro. There is still 1,724 players left but with so many big names in the top of the field it is a very real possibility we get to see some high drama in November.

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Ivey Gains $105,000 To Rise To 6th

Fellow big name pros Dutch Boyd and Carlos Mortenson were close, finishing third and fourth respectively.  Ming Lee netted a nice $136,292 for second place.

Ivey, whose winnings and reputation need no further bolstering, continues to add to his legendary status.  For this event, he bested 376 others.  In his other WSOP win in the Duece to Seven Lowball, Ivey was in a field of 147.

These two wins have emphasized Ivey’s all around skill in card games.  Some players only make waves in Hold’em, but these two wins in more remote corners of the poker spectrum showcase Ivey’s willingness and ability to play any game, anywhere.

Congratulations to Phil, here’s hoping 3 is on the horizon.

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Pi Squared: Phil Ivey Wins Second Bracelet

Next is a clip showing the final hand of Phil Ivey’s 2-7 championship. The funny part to this video is the easily frazzled table announcer who doesn’t realize Ivey’s opponent is drawing dead until he alerts him it’s over.

Ivey seemed about as happy as he gets afterwards. Ever the gambler, he talks briefly about some of the side bets he won because of his 6th bracelet.

Wish I was at WSOP 2009, but I’m going to 2010.

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Hevad Khan and Phil Ivey 2009 WSOP