Andrew Feldman

  (2:02 PM)

Hey everyone. Hope you had a good weekend. It was a very busy one in Las Vegas and Chops will be joining us in a second to answer all your poker questions. Send 'em in, we'll get started shortly.

Chops

  (2:02 PM)

Chops here.

Richard (Louisville, KY)

How does Negreanu respond to the crushing defeat yesterday? Come back even more focused and crush more events, or go into monkey tilt and spew off chips the rest of the WSOP?

Chops

  (2:05 PM)

He responded by going to the Omaha 8B $10k championship immediately afterwards and built up a stack. Of course he's crushed, and he was visibly steaming at the final table. But he's got so much riding on his side prop bets and he's so experienced that he'll recover. All the true pros always do.

Sarge (Lees Summit, MO)

I plan to play event #24 on Thursday and was wondering about registration. Is it better to pre-register, or should I just wait to register late Wednesday when I get into town? And do you know if there is a time where pre-registration closes, maybe 24 hours before the event?

Chops

  (2:07 PM)

First of all, gl.

Chops

  (2:09 PM)

For the $1,500 NLH buy-in events, it doesn't hurt to pre-register. The WSOP has made strides in solving issues with long lines like there have been in the past. I'm personally a guy with little patience and hate waiting in lines, so I'd pre-register. But you're probably not going to get shut out of that one either.

Davis (Jackson, MS)

Do you think they should have a Ladies Only event still at the WSOP?

Chops

  (2:11 PM)

Yes, it's their only real shot at a bracelet. I keed. I keed. Seriously, doesn't bother me. A $1,000 buy-in event like that is a great way to get more ladies involved in the game. Get their feet wet. And hopefully participate in more future events.

Ike (Orlando, FL)

How can it not drive "tv pros" nuts knowing that averages joes will play so recklessly against them since win or lose they'll always have a story to tell? Could this be why "internet pros" are doing well in live tourneys compared to tv pros, since no one can place their faces at the tables?

Chops

  (2:14 PM)

The big name pros definitely have more of a target on their back. It both hurts and helps them. Of course they'll get sucked out on more often than in the past. But it also helps them build stacks quicker too. It's a trade off. Interesting point on "internet pros" though. Hadn't considered that but it makes some sense (along with the fact that many of them are really good).

Frank (Gloucester, MA)

Withe the enormous popularity of poker training videos and sites, do you see there still being a widespread audience for new poker books?

Chops

  (2:15 PM)

People still read books? The online training site, like Negreanu's PokerVT, are definitely the way to go over books. You can't beat the visual experience.

Chops

  (2:15 PM)

I think that's why you see so many popping up. Feels like there's a new training site every week.

Jeff (Vegas)

Why isn't the $10,000 mixed tournament regarded more highly than it is? Shouldn't it be just as prestigious as HORSE?

Chops

  (2:17 PM)

Yeah I was surprised there wasn't a little more hype around it. However, a $50k buy-in tourney will always have more of a prestige factor to it...especially with Chip Reese taking down the inaugural one.

Slim

What happened to this year's catchphrase "it's just like high school"? You started out very strong with it, the early days were very exciting and it showed up in every post, but now it seems like it got bored and it rarely shows up anymore, next thing you know it will get caught smoking behind the gym... It's just like high school.

Chops

  (2:20 PM)

Wow the expectations with you guys. It's been like 3 days since we used it. It'll come back strong. It's just like high school.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:20 PM)

Weak sauce.

Steve Tampa, FL

Any word yet on the name of the THO girl yet?

Chops

  (2:22 PM)

Ha. Not yet. Unfortunately I wasn't there at the final table when she was so we missed a golden opportunity. We'll find out soon though. This is a case that must be cracked. Hopefully the new blonde Girl on the Rail we posted this morning makes some repeat visits.

Oscar (Plano, TX)

If there was one new event each of you could create for the WSOP this year, what would be the type of game, the format and the buy-in?

Chops

  (2:24 PM)

I'd like to see a $200 buy-in capped around 120 entrants since I crush those at Venetian and Caesar's. Otherwise...

Andrew Feldman

  (2:24 PM)

More heads-up tournaments...tough to organize, but quite cool to watch unfold.

Eddie (San Francisco, CA)

Aside from Scott Fishman, whatever happened to "The Crew" from WSOP 2004? If the other guys are still around, they have to be embarrassed about how they portrayed themselves, right?

Chops

  (2:25 PM)

Going back to the last question, I think if the WSOP made the Dream Team Poker event a bracelet event (there is one this year, just not for a bracelet), that would be killer. You'd see a ton of pros with large prop bets on that one.

Chops

  (2:28 PM)

Who knows if they're embarrassed on how they portrayed themselves...they might be more embarrassed about their lack of results. Not that they haven't all had sporadicly good results, but taking over the poker world they did not. But...you should give them props for at least getting so many young Internet followers starting their own pseudo-crews. The Crew was the original Ship It Hollas, afterall.

Johan Santana (NY)

Any thoughts on Mike Matusow's new auto-biography?

Chops

  (2:30 PM)

I heard it's interesting. Haven't read it. Amy Calistri, who helped Mike write it, is talented and I'm sure made it a good read. Hellmuth's new book, "Deal Me In," is another interesting accumulation of how big name pros all got their start.

Megan (Bethesda, MD)

Some celebs have enjoyed at least a bit of actual poker success (Tilly won a bracelet, Affleck won a Commerce tourney), but do you ever see someone becoming as good as Gabe Kaplan, who was regarded as a legitimate player back in the day, and still does well nowadays (final table at last year's HORSE I think)?

Chops

  (2:34 PM)

First off, Gabe Kaplan is the man. Go find that link the Sports Guy put up of him and the old celebrity sporting show from a ways back. The problem with a celeb becoming a major success is the time commitment and payoff. You gotta play a lot to be one of the best. And if you're a success and still busy in Hollywood, that pays better/less risk than poker. Kaplan's place as one of the all-timer celeb/players is probably safe for awhile.

Chops

  (2:34 PM)

Good questions today, people.

Pete (Rochester, NY)

For Andrew-thoughts on the turnouts for the $2500 and $5000? I thought numbers were down slightly from what I expected, but not too much which would seem to be a good sign for the future events in the series.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:37 PM)

I was actually pretty happy with the $5,000 NL turnout. 655 players putting up $5K is still a good sign. The $2,500 I wasn't so happy with being down just a little bit at 1088. I think so far, so good. There's still a couple more weeks left of these medium events though...I'm wondering how deep the bankrolls are this year...

Bill (Orlando, FL)

Everyone was calling last year The Year of the Pro. I believe you guys trademarked it. What would you say this is the year of?

Chops

  (2:39 PM)

Funny you should ask that...we're unveiling it later today. Feldman, did you submit that question?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:40 PM)

No, but sinc e you've been teasing the released of the "Year of the.." since Friday, I would've hoped we'd have an answer by now.

Jose Reyes (The DL)

Chalk up another bracelet for the online pros with Keven "Stamdogg" Stammen scoring one. Which online pro is next up to win a bracelet? (and yes, I know Barron is at a final table today)

Chops

  (2:42 PM)

Isaac Baron definitely has the best shot today...but Benefield could break through soon. GBecks almost did yesterday. And watch out for Annette Obrestad when she finally turns 21 (so sick) next year.

Udi (London)

What's the biggest surprise so far this year at the WSOP?

Chops

  (2:46 PM)

I actually think turn-out is surprisingly better than expected considering the state of The Economy(TM). But the biggest surprise really is the lack of marquee names pulling through. Had Negreanu pulled out that bracelet yesterday, that would've given the WSOP a good positive spike. Poker is just like any other sport: big names/teams drive interest. We're 14 or 15 bracelets in and the only "name" pro to pull through so far is Phil Ivey. After the way last year was, surprised more of the big names haven't...especially with all of their bracelet and POY prop bets.

Joe (Green Bay) [via mobile]

I just wanted to say how refreshing it was to watch the participants in the Limit Hold 'Em final table. Seemed like 6 of the classiest guys I've seen at a poker table in a long time.

Chops

  (2:47 PM)

Here here. And Brock Parker (tsoprano for those who follow online) definitely earned that bracelet. Good for him.

Xzavia (Detroit mi)

Hey! What is the cheapiest way to play in a lower buy in event and what type of bankroll would i need 4 a 4 day trip next week?

Chops

  (2:51 PM)

guess your bankroll would depend some on your drinking habits. But the WSOP has satellites for as little as $65. You can start building your bankroll for a buy-in that way. Plenty of cheap hotel rooms (try Gold Coast, right next to the Rio, save some cash on cabs). You can do it on the cheap, just grind it out on the satellites.

Tonya (Derry, NH)

We always hear about countries that are producing the next generations of great poker players, like Russia and the Scandinavian countries. What about for female players? Are they coming from the same places? It seems like aside from Annette15, the notable female pros are still from North America and the UK.

Chops

  (2:54 PM)

Sandra Naujoks is coming on strong lately, she's from Germany. Glum Girl is originally from Russia. So a few are popping up elsewhere. Once poker matures more in other countries, you'll see more female players sprouting up. Let's hope so. Enough ugly dudes with bad hygiene we have to deal with already.

Phil (Bay Area)

Where is Patrik Antonius? Has he even played an event yet? Any news on him.

Chops

  (2:57 PM)

Antonius is probably still overseas. Haven't heard anything about him being here, even at the Bellagio. His fiance is here though and doing (and looking) well. Would be shocked if we don't see Patrik though for the $50k HORSE, $10k PLO with rebuys, and Main Event.

Brian Heptinstall Birmingham, Al

We keep hearing about the uigea bringing down the numbers, yet every year we have many records shattered....your thoughts?

Chops

  (3:00 PM)

Hey Brian. The UIGEA will definitely keep the Main Event numbers down from 2006 levels until it's overturned/modified. But the other smaller buy-in events aren't as affected. Poker continues to grow. More people are building bankrolls online. So tourneys are still filling out. It'll be interesting to see what happens though when online sites can directly buy people into events again. The Main Event winner will be looking at a $15M+ payday. So sick.

Chops

  (3:02 PM)

Thanks for all the questions today. Remember to check out wickedchopspoker.com.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:02 PM)

Thanks Chops and to everyone for all the questions. See you tomorrow at 2...Mike Matusow later in the week...hopefully...