What’s been happening in the 2008 WSOP?

Speculations continue to rise whether a well-known poker player will win the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event. The last professional poker player who won the Main Event was Carlos Mortensen who took the bracelet in 2001.

On the other hand, Chris Moneymaker’s rise to stardom from being an amateur to become a WSOP champion was 2003, he inspired thousands of amateurs to try the game as well and as a result, four more budding superstars in poker now have his magnificent feat.

Chris Moneymaker won $2.5 million for besting a field of 839; just three years later. This year’s winner, on the other hand, will come from a starting field of 6,844, the second-largest in WSOP history. Since Moneymaker paved the way for amateurs in 2003, the odds of a pro winning were diminished. Given the sheer volume of the fields, they are greatly outnumbered by their amateur competitors and the increased instability that goes with a week-long tournament. Even so, many pros say they are not discouraged about the numbers that work against them, and they have not given up their dreams of winning the BIG ONE.

‘’I think poker is the new American dream,'’ pro poker player Rafe Furst said. ‘’It used to be that everyone wanted to write the great American novel at one point, now everyone wants to win the Main Event at the WSOP. Because it’s the one everyone wants to win, it makes it that much more exciting. People are taking the shot of a lifetime against the best players in the world.'’

Jean Robert-Bellande, who finished 442nd in this year’s Main Event, likened the tournament to other high-profile sporting events. ‘’In tennis, they’ve got Wimbledon. In soccer, it’s the World Cup. For poker, it’s the World Series Main Event. The whole year, you look forward to it, and a poker player’s most trying day is the day you get knocked out. Then you have to wait a whole year to get back.'’

Under a new format developed by Harrah’s and ESPN for the final table, this year’s participants will return the Rio on Nov. 9-10 to play for the bracelet.

The most recognizable name among this year’s ‘’November Nine'’ is Los Angeles-based pro David ‘’Chino'’ Rheem, who has more than $600,000 in career tournament winnings.

For others, the prestige of the Main Event is all the motivation they need. Joseph Hachem, who won the Main Event in his first visit to the WSOP, knows he is a long shot to repeat history. But that doesn’t stop him or other past winners from believing that it can be done.

‘’Poker is all about the Main Event at the World Series,'’ Joe Hachem said. ‘’God knows, if I could pull it off again, it would be the most amazing thing.'’

Anyone who is interested in playing poker should make his or her way to the Main Event at the WSOP whether you are a top pro, beginning player or simply a fan. Hey, you never know right?

Who will win the 2008 WSOP Main Event Final Table at the Rio in Las Vegas on November 9? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Dennis Phillips 4.00

Craig Marquis 11.00

Ylon Schwartz 9.00

Scott Montgomery 5.00

Darus Suharto 9.50

Chino Rheem 8.50

Ivan Demidov 5.50

Kelly Kim 26.00

Peter Eastgate 6.50

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2008 World Series of Poker WSOP bracelet