ESPN

Andrew Feldman

  (2:18 PM)

Hey everyone. Sorry for the late start. Bernard and I were just taking a look at a couple studios. Shoot the questions in and we'll get going right now...

Bernard Lee

  (2:18 PM)

Hi everybody. WSOP is in full swing and we look forward to answering all your questions!

Paul (Cleveland OH)

Should the recent freezing of online payouts by the federal government be seen as a major step backwards for the legalization and regulation of online poker in the US or just a bump in the road?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:20 PM)

It's a tough issue for sure, but the fact remains that there is a bill in the house with the potential of alleviating all these issues. Yes, in the interim, it's a big problem, especially during WSOP season, but as you said, I believe it is just a bump in the road.

Marty (Raleigh, NC)

How about fantasy poker update? Daniel was bragging at the final table last night (bluff's coverage)

Andrew Feldman

  (2:20 PM)

He's kicking our...yea. You know. Didn't hear him discuss it on the bluff coverage, but I want to go back and listen now. The update will come in a blog later today or tomorrow. I'm in third, Bernard is either second or fourth, not sure.

Brian (Durham, NC)

Hey Bernard, good luck this year at the WSOP. My question is more geared towards the cash games that have been going on outside of the tournaments... can you fill us on on who has been doing well and cleaning up? Any huge pots or drama? Thanks

Bernard Lee

  (2:22 PM)

I always find it surprising that they clear out the tournament room (the amazon room) and make way for cash games. They were busy all week long and I expect them to continue to do so. Unfortunately, I didn't play in any cash games so I don't know any major hands to recall.

Billy (Indianapolis)

Hi Bernard, big fan. It seems as though the pros (Lisondro and Ivey) are fighting back against the "poker boom". Do you think this trend will continue in this year's WSOP?

Bernard Lee

  (2:24 PM)

Thanks for being a big fan. Without a question, the pros have an advantage in the games outside of no-limit hold 'em and PLO since most amateurs are very inexperienced in these games (2-7 lowball and 7 stud)

Sylvain (calgary)

Are you both playing in the main event this year? What events do both you guys have targeted?

Bernard Lee

  (2:25 PM)

I am definitely playing in the main event. additionally, I have played in five preliminaries and going back this weekend to play five more

Josh (Indy)

Playing any events this weekend? I'm heading out to Vegas with some friends on Friday

Bernard Lee

  (2:26 PM)

Playing the $1.5k this Saturday and then the no-limit event the following week.Good luck this weekend Josh

Jeffrey (Ledyard)

Hey MR. Lee. I had the pleasure of meeting you and talking to you a couple of years ago at Foxwoods. You were sweating out and did make the final five spots so place into the WPT 10,000 event there. And just like your main even run you had, there were the pictures of your beautiful family. I believe that players that keep those iteams are treated unfairly buy some and are targeted in tournaments. Whats your take on it sir? And also may you give any advice to a young amature who likes to play 1-2 no limit at my two local huge casinos? Thanks

Bernard Lee

  (2:28 PM)

Hi Jeffrey, I have never been treated badly because of my pictures. If they target me, all the better as I hope to take their chips. With regards to advice, play tight out of position, but loosen up in position especially if it is multi-way pot.Good Luck.

Sylvain (calgary)

Hey guys, Question for Mr Lee. Last year I recall you played in a tournament and gave live updates after every break, you did such a great job I felt on I was right behind yah and stayed late at work to see it through!! Do you plan on doing this again sometime this year? WSOP? if not maybe on twitter?

Bernard Lee

  (2:30 PM)

Thanks for following as many people sent their kind words during the WSOP Circuit event in Iowa. I am definitely twittering my tournaments (www.twitter.com/BernardLeePoker) and also updating everyone on my radio show (The Bernard Lee Poker Show on RoundersRadio.com)Andrew just said that we may try to do something fro the main event...stay tuned for more details

Frank (Brooklyn)

Any tips for a 1st-time Main Event player?

Bernard Lee

  (2:32 PM)

Show up early so you can experience the atmosphere before you play. So many people feel overwhelmed during Day 1. Also, play tight aggressive as many players are very aggressive and push with marginally good hands (such as top pair or flush/straight draws)

Chuck (Phoenix)

Be honest Mr. Lee - when you were writing the articles about how you did in tourneys, did you portray yourself as more of a TAG player to help make you able to pull of bluffs in actual tourneys against those who might have read your columns?

Bernard Lee

  (2:34 PM)

I have been asked this question many times - first, there were many players who played with me during these days that can confirm my play. Second, it would be a long shot that someone who read my reports would actually end up at the same table as me...Therefore, I want to re-iterate, these are the hands I played and how I played them - my recaps are facts, not fiction

Andrew Feldman

  (2:35 PM)

I can attest to his hands and recaps as I have sweated him numerous times and he really is that tight of a player (aka 2006 USPC). It's quite disgusting. He is a rock, and honestly, when he goes away from that style...he usually calls me with a not so fun story.

Kyle (SD)

What's the satellite situation at the Rio? Is it held in a separate area from the WSOP events? I'm looking for options to get into a $1,500 NL event coming up.

Bernard Lee

  (2:36 PM)

The single table satellites range from $65 to $1030 buy-ins and are held in another room down the hall from the Amazon Room (I think Miranda).Also every day at 3pm and 8pm, Harrah's holds a multi-table satellite for the main eventGood luck.

Pizzy (Long Island, NY)

Bernard, how may events do you plan on playing and do you anticipate playing in events other then no limit?

Bernard Lee

  (2:37 PM)

plan on playing about 10 prelims and the main evvent.I played a 7 stud event as it was the game I first started playing at Foxwoods in 1992.

William (New York, NY)

Hi Andrew...I just wanted to let you know that I sent you an e-mail with a question I was hoping you could answer for me. Bernard...My question for you is what is the best way you find for getting out of a bad run?

Bernard Lee

  (2:40 PM)

I recently wrote a column on ESPN.com/poker about this specific topic. Here is the link:http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/poker/columns/story?columnist=lee_bernard

Reggie (Reno)

Mr. Lee - serious question. Have you ever had to deal with sitting next to someone in a tourney who smelled so bad that it affected your game? This actually happened to me at a local tourney and I lost all focus after a while. If this happened to you, what would you do?

Bernard Lee

  (2:44 PM)

No, this has never happened. However, I have had players who talk incessantly and won't stop. This is the time for the iPod. With regards to the smell factor, I'm not sure what you would do...maybe pray that your table breaks soon.

Lon (Tracy, CA)

Haven't heard/ready anything about non-pro celebrity players in any events. Are the celebs pretty much just 10K Main Event players?

Bernard Lee

  (2:46 PM)

From what I have heard, rapper Nelly has played in almost all the no-limit events. Shannon Elizabeth played the $3k HORSE yesterday (busted last night).A lot of celebrities will play in the Ante Up for Africa event (Matt Damon, Don Cheadle, Hank Azaria) and of course, lots of them will play the main event.

Justin (Denver)

Hey Bernard. Have you played at any of the other casinos during their deep stack tourney's while the WSOP is going on? Are they just as good, but without the glitz?

Bernard Lee

  (2:48 PM)

many players are playing at the Venetian - they were getting hundreds of players.I have not played - for me, if I am going out to vegas in the summer, I am going to try to win a bracelet. If I have a few days off, I could go play but usually I would go home if I had that much time off.

Jeffrey West Ford (Molly's Grasp)

Do you have any particular unorthodox hands that you enjoy playing that have given you the most luck? I won my first major tourney with 34o.

Bernard Lee

  (2:49 PM)

For a few months during 2007, I won three huge pots with 53 suited; however, since then, I always lose with this hand.Unorthodox hands just get me into trouble.Only Doyle can play 10-2.

Lee (Spokane, WA)

Bernard, a logistics question for you. Playing my first WSOP event next week...any suggestions for places to eat during the dinner break? I imagine some of the lines are pretty long at those times.

Bernard Lee

  (2:52 PM)

There are lots of places to eat - stations right outside the Amazon room. However, during dinner break, there is the San Paolo Cafe and Buzio's Seafood, also McFaddens and a Italian and Rib place and All American place. Dinner break is about 7pm - my advice: get a friend or someone who busted out and get them to get a table just before dinner break so you don't have to wait in line.

Taco Shorty (South of the Border)

A recent ESPN article estimated Phil Ivey's bankroll as high 8 figures or low 9 figures. How does one man accumulate close to $100 million dollars from poker?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:53 PM)

Two words - Full Tilt. Plus, the fact that he plays at the highest stakes and wins in the largest cash games is typically a good sign that you can make a lot of money from poker.

Eddie (DC)

Bernard - when you went deep into the Main Event, how many times were you all in and behind?

Bernard Lee

  (2:54 PM)

You may find this unbelievable, but not once!

Pete (Encino)

A lot of people advise to play loose near the money bubble, particularly in big money events. In generaly, do you think that's still an effective strategy, or have people caught on enough that it's harder to do, in which case the strategy could backfire.

Bernard Lee

  (2:57 PM)

definitely harder to do as most people try to implement the strategy - obviously works well with a big stack, but with a short stack you could be eliminated easily as many players many not believe your push

Nick Z. (Metuchen NJ)

Do you read any poker blogs? I am a huge fan of Shannon Shorr because of his writings!

Bernard Lee

  (2:58 PM)

I read some from time to time - Daniel's, Dennis Phillips' and some of the online players when they have good strategy tips

Joe Chambers (Temecula NJ)

Who are some of the "name" pros that you consider yourself close with? I caught your radio show on a local station recently and I think I heard you talking with Greg Raymer, who seems like the consummate gentleman.

Bernard Lee

  (2:59 PM)

Mark Seif, Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, TJ Cloutier, Lee Childs, Dennis Phillips... a few that I speak with regularly

Len (Green Bay)

Mr. Lee - like you, I'm a family man. Do you plan on teaching your kids poker, and if so, when they're how old?

Bernard Lee

  (3:02 PM)

At their early ages (6 and 4), I have taught them how to play cards and the strategy behind the games (eg Uno, Crazy Eights). With regards to poker, I will probably teach them later, maybe around 10-13. But not encourage them to gamble...

Cosmo (New York, NY)

Feldman/Newman, here's the question that's asked every year. Who's the BPWOB? Best Player Without Bracelet? You still going with Andy Bloch?

Bernard Lee

  (3:03 PM)

For me: I would say the following names:Gus HansenMichael MizarchiMichael BingerAndy BlochJustin Bonomo

Kitty Citrone (Natick, MA)

Where the hell is Durrr? He is by far the most entertaining player to watch on TV. And he's handsome!

Bernard Lee

  (3:05 PM)

I have not seen him yet at the WSOP...and I hope he starts kicking some *** because he is on my ESPN fantasy team

Bobby Martino (Spokane, Wash)

Doesn't the lack of a "big name" winning a bracelet in the first 20 events (sans Ivey) mean that the average fan is less interested in the WSOP? Jeff Lisandro and Daniel Alaei are kind of second-tier names.

Bernard Lee

  (3:07 PM)

I actually think it creates more interest because the amateur players continues to feel that "Anyone can win at the WSOP"It gives hope to the amateurs which is needed to increase the prize pools.also, there have been some solid pros who are lesser known who have won...Jason mercier, Kevin Stammen, Steve Sung

Keith (Columbus, Ohio)

Will any more "name" players win a bracelet? I lose interest when Joe Schmo from Idaho takes down an event.

Bernard Lee

  (3:08 PM)

I'm sure that another big name will win a bracelet. Also, see my last answer

Andrew Feldman

  (3:09 PM)

Ok, BL is taking a step away. A couple more questions....

Brandon (Indiana)

Andrew you mentioned Full Tilt as a way for the poker proffesionals to make as much money as they do... Do you see them having any trouble cashing any of their monies?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:10 PM)

No. The way that the endorsement works...or so I believe it does...is that they work for a company who works for a company who works for FT. So the check would come from a third company, not directly from the major one...that probably didn't make any sense, so no, they will not have any problem cashing their checks.

Craig (MA)

What is bigger - Ivey's supposed bankroll or Hellmuth's ego?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:11 PM)

Is there anything bigger than Hellmuth's ego? Also, Ivey's bankroll could go down at some point while Hellmuth's ego is only going to get bigger.

Henry (Utica, NY)

Question for either of you - given the time between when the November 9 are selected and the final table is played, how can Harrah's feel comfortable that no chop deals are made? I think there are rules to prohibit this, but don't you think that the temptation would be to great, especially if there are a lot of amateurs among the 9?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:12 PM)

I think Harrahs is confident that there are no chop deals made as it would be incredibly difficult to conceal. The temptation is great, but let's be honest, there is no deal that you can offer a player to take a dive when they have the chance to win the biggest tournament of the world.

BB (Las Vegas)

Who is the most well-liked professional in the industry? Disliked?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:13 PM)

Someone at Poker Royalty...Daniel Negreanu. Most disliked? I'm going to stay out of that one, but there is most definitely an answer.

Sylvain (calgary)

Hey Andrew, My computor at work only blocks poker news for some reason (Who knew). Anyways what event did Ivey win and what was the prize for 1st please, and thank you!

Andrew Feldman

  (3:14 PM)

Here you go: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/poker/news/story?id=4234919

Sylvain (calgary)

Lol links don't work either buddy, thanks for trying

Andrew Feldman

  (3:14 PM)

He won event 8, for $96,367

Andrew Feldman

  (3:15 PM)

Ok everyone. Tomorrow we have Mike Matusow joining us so send in your questions -- the link will be on the site later on today.

Bernard Lee

  (3:16 PM)

Thanks for the questions. Make sure to listen to my radio show, "the Bernard Lee Poker Show" on Rounders Radio every Tuesday night 7 pm ET and visit bernardleepoker.com