1. Villie or Won’t He: Finnish player, Villie Walhbeck who discussed retiring from poker after this World Series, has been on the rush of a lifetime. In gambling, first timers always win, and when you have to go, you can’t lose. Wahlbeck, has a detached attitude and the cards won’t let him withdraw. His four cashes have been 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 13th. This guy is a poker player and the real shocker will be if Villie retires.
Once when playing Pai Gow, my girlfriend wanted to leave. I said fine after I lose a hand. I either won or pushed for the next 30 to 40 minutes. No losses. Mostly pushes, plenty of wins but no losses. At one point, because she was complaining so much I just wanted to lose and go home–but couldn’t. Walhbeck had probably reached his tipping point with poker, and now that’s he prepared to cut his losses and walk away… poker probably won’t let him.
2. Brock Star: If not for Wahlbeck’s amazing run, the big story of the year would be T_Soprano otherwise known as Brock Parker. Parker won back to back bracelets on short handed tables. The online poker player is now a live player and continues an odd WSOP streak of multiple bracelet winners that stretches back 10 years now. Chris Ferguson was the first who won his two bracelets including a Main Event Championship. Parker who mostly likes to play online poker won the $2,500 6 handed limit hold’em tournament and the next day entered the $2,500 6 handed no limit hold’em tournament–same result. The ESPN coverage will gloss over all these poker stories because they are focused only on the Main Event, The Champions Cup, the 40k Event, and the Ante Up for Africa Charity event.
3. Poison Ivy: Phil Ivy wins a ton of prop bets. There is a post about this already, so won’t really rehash it. Ivy won a bracelet more importantly, he won far more money on the prop bet than he did winning the event. Scroll down for more details. One thing for sure he’s certainly expanded his bankroll for when he next wants to play poker online.
4. Thank You, Thank You: Thang Luu goes back to back. Add in his 2nd place finish three years ago, and the guy has cornered his event $1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo Eight or better. Here’s a tip, next year, if you play this tournament there is one guy you don’t want at your table and it’s Thang Luu. You’re welcome.