Phil Laak wins first WSOP Bracelet in London!

Laak during the 2009 WSOP. (Bodog File Photo.)

We talked about Phil Laak making it to the final table in a WSOPE event yesterday and lo and behold, it looks like the Unabomber pulled it off and finally earned himself a World Series of Poker bracelet for his efforts. The flamboyant stunts-man and frequent media darling whose arm is still in a cast after last month's ATV crash, credited his record-breaking non-stop poker marathon for helping him discover the focus that let him win £170,802 and the most famous piece of jewelry in the game. "I've won something like 80 percent of my cash sessions since I broke the record," he told one reporter.

Yesterday's post about the event was written while the three final players: Laak, Chris Bjorin and Andrew Pantling, were taking a break. Laak eliminated Bjorin holding KK over QQ after a few more hands; it was then that a break was requested by Pantling, who had a chip lead of about 3:2 over Laak. Laak denied that request, likely drawing on some of the training for his endurance run at the Bellagio, and insisted the game continue until it was done.

Laak and Pantling swing back and forth quite a bit, with Laak finally getting some momentum after some massive gains and losses. When he was over the million-chip-lead mark, Laak went after Pantling, 3-betting him for the rest of his chips. Holding Kd5c against his opponent's Ah9h, it looked like the game may go further after a flush draw hit to board, but Laak hit a pair of fives and that was that.

Want to play in the World Series of Poker but haven't started playing the game yet? Try free online poker at Bodog and build your skills today!

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James Bord Becomes First UK Player To Win WSOPE Main Event

James Bord won over £830,000 for his first-place finish at the WSOPE Main Event. (Bodog File Photo)

England's James Bord captured the WSOPE Main Event title after four days of play, coming out on top of a field of 346 players. The 29 year old pro from Stanmore was cheered by a crowd described by onlookers as "boisterous" after the win at the Empire Casino in London. Surprisingly, this was only the second World Series of Poker event that Bord had ever entered and he surprised everyone, including himself. After being handed the bracelet, he told a reporter: "I never thought I would win a bracelet. Being so close, you just never know when it’s going to come again. And it’s even more special to win it in my hometown. It’s just something very special."

Before playing poker professionally, Bord worked for Citigroup. He says that he is a "professional gambler," but makes most of his money playing poker, widely regarded as a skill game. This year's final table was an interesting group of players; Bord joined seven other pros and Dan Fleyshman, the CEO of an online poker company, and four countries were represented at the final table: France, Great Britain, Monaco and the US. Bord is typically a Mixed Games cash player and for the last few years he's been focusing on high-low games. When asked if he'll change his focus after this victory, he responded "I will play in some more tournaments. But on a daily basis, cash games are my thing."

Bord collected £830,401 for taking the top spot. Here's how the rest of the table broke down:

2nd – Fabrizio Baldassari (£513,049)
3rd – Ronald Lee (£376,829)
4th – Roland de Wolfe (£278,945)
5th – Nicholas Levi (£208,119)
6th – Danny Steinberg (£156,530)
7th – Dan Fleyshman (£118,643)
8th – Brian Powell (£90,617)
9th – Marc Inizan (£69,754)

If you want to get in on great tournament action, Bodog's online poker room gives you a chance to enjoy a great selection of buy-ins. Sign up today and get a deposit bonus of up to $1100

View the original article here

Phil Laak at Final Table of WSOPE's First Event

Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly demonstrating the game. (Bodog File Photo)

It's been, as the poet would say, a hell of a year for the Unabomber when it comes to the game that Phil Laak has made his name playing. After the first six months seemed to be a bit dull for the over-the-top pro that gets to make time with Jennifer Tilly, he went and decided to set an insane poker endurance record during this year's World Series of Poker, playing over 100 hours of poker at the Bellagio's cash tables before then managing to get himself into a pretty serious ATV accident while vacationing with his friend Antonio Esfandiari. So, what's he doing now? Oh, just hitting the final table at the World Series of Poker Europe first event, going against some of the best in the game to see if he can get his share of cold, hard cash.

He came to London well in advance of the World Series of Poker Europe to play at the English Poker Open. There, he barely made it into the bubble before bowing out at 18th place but he seems to have gotten his act together in time to hit the WSOPE with a vengeance. As of this writing, he's currently in second place in the chip counts with three players remaining: Andrew Pantling continues his domination from yesterday, holding 1,237,5000 in chips with Laak holding 415,5000 and Chris Bjorin way behind with 183,500.

Even with the disparity between Pantling and Laak, there have been greater upsets in the history of the game and we may be looking at the vivacious show-stopper getting his first WSOP bracelet at this event if his streak stays hot.

Want to play like a high roller but don't have the bankroll yet? Online poker at Bodog means having the biggest and best selection of games, stakes and a killer deposit bonus.

View the original article here

Gus Hansen wins first WSOP bracelet at WSOPE!

Gus Hansen at the 2008 WSOP. (Bodog File Photo)

"Every poker tournament that I enter, I try to play at my highest level. I always try to win. At the World Series of Poker, there is so much tradition. It’s been going on since Doyle Brunson was just a little kid. I was around for some of it and have been a part of that group. So, to finally come here and win this gold bracelet feels very special."

That's pro Gus Hansen, who for years had been denied a World Series of Poker bracelet until last night, when he took out Jim Collopy in the £10,000 No-Limit Hold’em High-Roller Heads-Up Championship at WSOPE, held at the Casino at the Empire in London. The 36-year-old native of Denmark has been one of the biggest stars of the game for years, even making it into People magazine's 100 Sexiest Men list one a couple of years back, but despite accolades and tournament victories around the world, that most coveted piece of jewelry was repeatedly denied him. That is, of course, up until Hansen and his opponent picked up where they left off a few days earlier, interrupted by the start of the WSOPE main event.

The final hand was one for the books: Hansen was dealt 4-4 and called Collopy's all-in on K-4. The small pair held their ground and Hansen won the tournament. About his opponent, Hansen said, "I was very impressed with his play. Right from the go he adjusted after the first two matches. I give all the credit to him for adjusting after those matches."

Credit or not, Collopy only gets second place and £178,211 while Hansen has earned £288,409 for his play. Collopy, however, has plenty of time to strike back; the 21 year old is attending New York University and majoring in Economics.

Want to try your hand in great heads-up poker action? Online poker at Bodog gives you the chance to do just that!

View the original article here

Phil Laak at Final Table of WSOPE's First Event

Phil Laak and Jennifer Tilly demonstrating the game. (Bodog File Photo)

It's been, as the poet would say, a hell of a year for the Unabomber when it comes to the game that Phil Laak has made his name playing. After the first six months seemed to be a bit dull for the over-the-top pro that gets to make time with Jennifer Tilly, he went and decided to set an insane poker endurance record during this year's World Series of Poker, playing over 100 hours of poker at the Bellagio's cash tables before then managing to get himself into a pretty serious ATV accident while vacationing with his friend Antonio Esfandiari. So, what's he doing now? Oh, just hitting the final table at the World Series of Poker Europe first event, going against some of the best in the game to see if he can get his share of cold, hard cash.

He came to London well in advance of the World Series of Poker Europe to play at the English Poker Open. There, he barely made it into the bubble before bowing out at 18th place but he seems to have gotten his act together in time to hit the WSOPE with a vengeance. As of this writing, he's currently in second place in the chip counts with three players remaining: Andrew Pantling continues his domination from yesterday, holding 1,237,5000 in chips with Laak holding 415,5000 and Chris Bjorin way behind with 183,500.

Even with the disparity between Pantling and Laak, there have been greater upsets in the history of the game and we may be looking at the vivacious show-stopper getting his first WSOP bracelet at this event if his streak stays hot.

Want to play like a high roller but don't have the bankroll yet? Online poker at Bodog means having the biggest and best selection of games, stakes and a killer deposit bonus.

View the original article here

Gus Hansen wins first WSOP bracelet at WSOPE!

Gus Hansen at the 2008 WSOP. (Bodog File Photo)

"Every poker tournament that I enter, I try to play at my highest level. I always try to win. At the World Series of Poker, there is so much tradition. It’s been going on since Doyle Brunson was just a little kid. I was around for some of it and have been a part of that group. So, to finally come here and win this gold bracelet feels very special."

That's pro Gus Hansen, who for years had been denied a World Series of Poker bracelet until last night, when he took out Jim Collopy in the £10,000 No-Limit Hold’em High-Roller Heads-Up Championship at WSOPE, held at the Casino at the Empire in London. The 36-year-old native of Denmark has been one of the biggest stars of the game for years, even making it into People magazine's 100 Sexiest Men list one a couple of years back, but despite accolades and tournament victories around the world, that most coveted piece of jewelry was repeatedly denied him. That is, of course, up until Hansen and his opponent picked up where they left off a few days earlier, interrupted by the start of the WSOPE main event.

The final hand was one for the books: Hansen was dealt 4-4 and called Collopy's all-in on K-4. The small pair held their ground and Hansen won the tournament. About his opponent, Hansen said, "I was very impressed with his play. Right from the go he adjusted after the first two matches. I give all the credit to him for adjusting after those matches."

Credit or not, Collopy only gets second place and £178,211 while Hansen has earned £288,409 for his play. Collopy, however, has plenty of time to strike back; the 21 year old is attending New York University and majoring in Economics.

Want to try your hand in great heads-up poker action? Online poker at Bodog gives you the chance to do just that!

View the original article here

Phil Laak wins first WSOP Bracelet in London!

Laak during the 2009 WSOP. (Bodog File Photo.)

We talked about Phil Laak making it to the final table in a WSOPE event yesterday and lo and behold, it looks like the Unabomber pulled it off and finally earned himself a World Series of Poker bracelet for his efforts. The flamboyant stunts-man and frequent media darling whose arm is still in a cast after last month's ATV crash, credited his record-breaking non-stop poker marathon for helping him discover the focus that let him win £170,802 and the most famous piece of jewelry in the game. "I've won something like 80 percent of my cash sessions since I broke the record," he told one reporter.

Yesterday's post about the event was written while the three final players: Laak, Chris Bjorin and Andrew Pantling, were taking a break. Laak eliminated Bjorin holding KK over QQ after a few more hands; it was then that a break was requested by Pantling, who had a chip lead of about 3:2 over Laak. Laak denied that request, likely drawing on some of the training for his endurance run at the Bellagio, and insisted the game continue until it was done.

Laak and Pantling swing back and forth quite a bit, with Laak finally getting some momentum after some massive gains and losses. When he was over the million-chip-lead mark, Laak went after Pantling, 3-betting him for the rest of his chips. Holding Kd5c against his opponent's Ah9h, it looked like the game may go further after a flush draw hit to board, but Laak hit a pair of fives and that was that.

Want to play in the World Series of Poker but haven't started playing the game yet? Try free online poker at Bodog and build your skills today!

View the original article here

James Bord Becomes First UK Player To Win WSOPE Main Event

James Bord won over £830,000 for his first-place finish at the WSOPE Main Event. (Bodog File Photo)

England's James Bord captured the WSOPE Main Event title after four days of play, coming out on top of a field of 346 players. The 29 year old pro from Stanmore was cheered by a crowd described by onlookers as "boisterous" after the win at the Empire Casino in London. Surprisingly, this was only the second World Series of Poker event that Bord had ever entered and he surprised everyone, including himself. After being handed the bracelet, he told a reporter: "I never thought I would win a bracelet. Being so close, you just never know when it’s going to come again. And it’s even more special to win it in my hometown. It’s just something very special."

Before playing poker professionally, Bord worked for Citigroup. He says that he is a "professional gambler," but makes most of his money playing poker, widely regarded as a skill game. This year's final table was an interesting group of players; Bord joined seven other pros and Dan Fleyshman, the CEO of an online poker company, and four countries were represented at the final table: France, Great Britain, Monaco and the US. Bord is typically a Mixed Games cash player and for the last few years he's been focusing on high-low games. When asked if he'll change his focus after this victory, he responded "I will play in some more tournaments. But on a daily basis, cash games are my thing."

Bord collected £830,401 for taking the top spot. Here's how the rest of the table broke down:

2nd – Fabrizio Baldassari (£513,049)
3rd – Ronald Lee (£376,829)
4th – Roland de Wolfe (£278,945)
5th – Nicholas Levi (£208,119)
6th – Danny Steinberg (£156,530)
7th – Dan Fleyshman (£118,643)
8th – Brian Powell (£90,617)
9th – Marc Inizan (£69,754)

If you want to get in on great tournament action, Bodog's online poker room gives you a chance to enjoy a great selection of buy-ins. Sign up today and get a deposit bonus of up to $1100

View the original article here