ESPN

Andrew Feldman

  (2:01 PM)

Hey everyone. Welcome to Monday's poker chat. Quite a weekend in the poker world with a new triple crown winner in Roland De Wolfe and some guy named Phil Ivey winning yet another bracelet...Anyone think he'll win 3? Send the questions in, we'll get started in a second

Jeff (Atlanta, GA)

Why don't we hear more about Scott Clements? This guy kills omaha tournaments, already has 2 bracelets, and came close twice this year.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:04 PM)

Great point. AS Gary Wise put it last week, he is one of the, if not the, most under-talked about player there is. After another final table in Omaha high-low split, there is little question he is among the best in the world at the game.

Chuck P. (Chapel Hill, NC, USA)

Where is ESPNs pull? Get Ivey on the podcast.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:06 PM)

We've tried. Ivey isn't really a fan of putting himself in front of the media unless its a favor to Barry or Joe (Greenstein/Sebok).

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

Who is the best poker player in the world right now? And what makes him the best?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:09 PM)

I think it would be hard to argue with Ivey right now....especially after these last two weeks. He has played in probably half the tournaments and went deep in most of them. What makes him the best? I think he can read people better than everyone else. Daniel Negreanu even said the other day that when he heard Ivey made the call in lowball with a 10 then he knew it was over. As soon as Ivey picks up something on his opponent, he'll run over them.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:10 PM)

I think one of the best notes from this WSOP about ivey is that he was multi-tabling two tournaments when he won his second bracelet. He finished just a few spots out of the money in the other one, but seriously, how did he beat out 85% of the field when he's not even primarily playing in that tournament!

yianni (athens)

how about some love for Pete Vilandos! impressive showing by him so far. Making GREECE proud!

Andrew Feldman

  (2:11 PM)

Atta boy Pete the Greek! Great to see him win his second bracelet and it was much deserved after finishing second in the stimulus special. Interesting fact -- Vilandos has outlasted more players this WSOP than anyone else.

Chase (Vegas)

Where were all the big online names for the 10k hu? There were a ton that played the FTP 25k but not the 10k here for the bracelet.. few examples..AEJONES, P.Antonius, etc....

Andrew Feldman

  (2:12 PM)

Benefield, Dwan were in action and both made iit a couple rounds. Many players were also locked up in other tournaments which prevented them from entering the heads-up. I am kind of shocked that Chan is the name left with his chance at 11 since he's had such minimal heads-up success over the last few years. Glad to see him back on his game and you can see the action play out starting at 5 p.m. ET on ESPN360.com

Cosmo (Anytown, USA)

"As soon as Ivey picks up something on his opponents..." What types of things are available to be picked up? Betting pattern? A tell?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:13 PM)

Exactly as you said. Top players are looking for everything including betting patterns and physical tells. Maybe the guy said something to Ivey to give away the strength of his hand, maybe it was just the way he looked at his cards. In any case, that's what makes these guys so good.

Brian (Durham, NC)

Hey Andrew. So i was trying to follow Ivey going from 1 tourny to another simultaneously the other day via internet updates, but couldnt quite keep up online. I was told he only played like 8 hands in the one even and was in the top 40 at that point. How is that possible?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:14 PM)

Gary Wise and I joked about this yesterday and yes, it's possible. How? We're not even sure. It was as if every hand he played in the other tournament he tripled up! He built a stack during the breaks of the other tournament and apparently it was enough to keep him alive as he played out the other one...

Props (ny)

Did ivey have the same bracelet prop bets for winning another one? By that calculation he should be up 20 mil now right?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:18 PM)

According to Phil Gordon on the Poker Edge Podcast, he said that many people have been greatly overstating how much these bets were for. He said definitely millions, but the 6-10 marks were a little out there. I'm guessing that in addition to his WSOP earnings, he's up more than a couple of million.

Luis Castillo (Dropped Ball Land)

My dad played in his 1st WSOP tournament this weekend, and was unfortunate enough to sit with Elky. I made it a point to tell my dad that he is one of few players in the world that would make me say "oh crap" if he was seated at my table. What other players should make an amatuer say the same?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:22 PM)

How nice of you to stop by Luis! Please learn how to catch fly balls. As for Elky, you know you're right. He'd give me that reaction. Other people I'd react that way to would be Ivey, Justin Bonomo, and Negreanu

Pete (Rochester, NY)

Being essentially halfway through the WSOP right now, who would you pick in this ridiculous POTY race?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:23 PM)

I picked Ville Wahlbeck on the podcast the other day. I'm sticking to it. Gordon picked Ivey...obv.

jonas (sweden)

Hey!which Phil do u think will win his next braclet first? ivey or hellmuth?do u think a pro will win the ME this year?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:24 PM)

Ivey - I think he has a third in him this summer. I thought Hellmuth would've had a good summer, but he's struggling to make it into Day 2. Will a pro win the main event? It would be nice, but I'm saying yes to the final table for now...ask me again July 17.

Teller (Dedham)

Any update on the Durrr challenge, since he and Patrik aren't playing events, are they playing online?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:27 PM)

After 16,124 hands, Antonius is only up around $35,000. They did have a session the other day, but who knows. This thing is just dragging on and it's not keeping the hype I thought it would when it first started.

Chad (Chicago)

Any particular hits or misses from the Poker Kitchen you can let us know about when we're in town?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:28 PM)

Don't eat the pizza unless you KNOW its right out of the oven...that stuff goes bad...quickly.

joey (ny)

where has paul darden been? haven't heard anything about him for a while

Andrew Feldman

  (2:30 PM)

Actually, he's been playing. He finished 31st a couple days ago in the $1,500 limit event. I don't think he's completely off the radar, but yea, not in the spotlight at all these days. All it takes is one bracelet though.

Greg (Boston)

What would make anyone fear sitting at the table with Elky, he's kind of a donkey who has gotten some decent luck? Seriously, I have seen him in 4 tourneys on TV (which granted doesn't tell the whole story) and all 4 have made him look like someone you just wait out, then trap into oblivion when you hit anything

Andrew Feldman

  (2:31 PM)

Really? You think that his $5.1 mil in tournament earnings the last year and a half is luck?

Jack (Links)

How has the jerky been around the Rio?Any Messin' with Sasquatch commercials involving poker? I can see someone slow rolling him or berating his bad play...

Andrew Feldman

  (2:33 PM)

I know that the commercials are in development for when our shows first air on July 28th...There's a lot of jerky at the final tables and I'd have to guess that everyone in the main event will get a sample or something.

Frank (Brooklyn)

Is Slim going to be back on the Poker scene now that it seems those legal/family troubles are behind him?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:35 PM)

I think he would have to do something truly substantial to put him back on the poker map these days. Troubles behind him or not, they'll still go with him wherever he goes.

Steven (I'm in L.A. trick)

is making sure they get some "names" to the final table a reason for increasing the stack size in the ME?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:36 PM)

I think the main reason is to give out more play for $10,000 than ever before. From what I've heard from the players, the chips at the start are nice, but quicker than you think, you're back battling with short stacks everywhere.

Bob (Sacramento)

What are the rules about how much of your face/body you can cover? For instance, what Phil Laak did last year, getting made up as an old man, shouldn't that be illegal. It was totally classless by Phil to not show the other players who they were truly playing against.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:38 PM)

I heard about Phil's actions and had to take a look for myself. Many people were wondering why I would talk to the old guy who didn't say a word at the table, but it was quite a sight. In terms of what is legal, I'll ask Jack Effel about it and get back to you in a future chat. I don't believe phil's move was in fact legal, but it was quite entertaining.

Mikey (Amazon Room)

Maybe someone should dress like Gavin Smith and cahs in a tourney to get him some POY points.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:40 PM)

Wow. Actually, Gavin has two cashes already this year for $30,000. He just missed the final table in the $3K HORSE. He also posted on his twitter today that he's feeling good and ready to play the $2K no-limit event that starts in 20 mins.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:40 PM)

On a side note and blatant promo, you can follow my twitter at @ESPN_Poker.

Mike (Austin)

What happened to Amir Vahidi? He was so entertaining on the 03 Main Event broadcasts and he seems to have disappeared since then.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:41 PM)

I like this game. Let's play "What ever happened to [insert poker player you saw on TV here]..." GO...

Gavin Smith (Amazon Room)

Hey Mikey what have I ever done to you?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:41 PM)

Seriously.

Bobby Valentine (?)

What do you think about Roland De Wolfe's accomplishment, winning pokers "triple crown" of a WPT, EPT, and WSOP bracelet?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:43 PM)

Extremely impressive. To win on poker's three biggest stages is quite an accomplishment and now the former writer and Gavin Griffin can hang out together in their elite club.

Zain (Atlanta)

What ever happened to Phil Gordon?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:43 PM)

Ouch. He'd probably agree though.

Steven (I'm in L.A. trick)

i saw Amir playing 20-40 lhe at the bike a couple months ago

Chase (Vegas)

What ever happened to Jamie Gold besides dumping tons of money to HSP people

Bill (Rockford)

How closely guarded is the area with the TV monitors where the hold card cams feed into?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:45 PM)

Very. I can't even get in. The hole card cameras have a guard or two stationed outside of the entry way, but to even find it takes some skill. I believe there are only three people who can enter that area, but I'll ask Jamie Horowitz about that.

Jerry Buss (Vegas)

If you owned an NBA team that was on the verge of winning a championship, would you rather be at the game, or at the WSOP? I chose to stay in Vegas for the WSOP.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:46 PM)

When you've won so many championships, what's one more? Just kidding. I was slightly shocked, but then again, some owners are hands off and Dr. Buss had some interesting priorities this week.

Paul (Staten Island)

Is there an actual Poker Hall of Fame ceremony where the inductees give speeches? And where is the Gallery of Champions, still at Binion's?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:49 PM)

I think it became a formality only two years ago when Pollack took over. Hellmuth was the first under Pollack's reign to give a speech and it was the typical Hellmuth banter and modesty. As I'm sure you could imagine. Last year it was formalized as being part of the November Nine final table and will happen again this year. The gallery is at Binions, but I'm not sure how long it will remain there.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:49 PM)

By the way -- everyone should vote for the hall of fame candidates at worldseriesofpoker.com.

Bret (Atlanta)

Andrew, do you know of the Sports Legends Challenge poker tournament?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:52 PM)

I do Bret. Sounds like a great idea and I know that we'll have a story on it here on ESPN.com in the upcoming weeks. Interesting to see all the great athletes come to one place and then of course, a poker game...

Steve (OK)

In the private home games (Larry Flynt, etc.) do they hire a casino dealer or deal themselves?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:52 PM)

A dealer is definitely hired when you're playing for the stakes at these home games.

Greg (Boston)

AJ, buddy, why do you post some questions but no answers my man...I really want to know if Elky is as big a donkey as he seems on TV, or are they helping him win more money by false portrayel?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:53 PM)

I already answered this one! Check out the chat history! No, he's not a donkey.

Josh (Shreveport)

Why don't they have the Tournament of Champions anymore? Or do they still have it, but just don't televise it?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:55 PM)

There hasn't been a Tournament of Champions the past few years. The last one was great to watch and I'm shocked there isn't one annually. That said, at WSOP Europe there's going to be a cool Ryder Cup like tournament, so hopefully that will fill the void.

Pete (Brooklyn)

Even though poker players aren't playing against the casino, do they still get comped and treated like whales/celebrities?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:56 PM)

A lot of them have bigger leaks not in their poker games -- they love the pit and definitely get comped. If you win a bracelet you automatically become a diamond member at Harrah's.

Teller (Dedham)

What have you heard about the cash games? I know they generally pick up, has that been the case this year? Are the really big games running?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:56 PM)

the games have indeed picked up as expected. The money is in town, but not sure if THE big game is running. I'll ask around.

Steven (I'm in L.A. trick)

can you have your ipod on the table? i've heard iphone and ipod touches are not allowed

Andrew Feldman

  (2:57 PM)

You can have it on the table, but you can't be doing anything but listening to music. If you need to text/twitter/call/etc you must be away from the table. When the players reach the money, they aren't allowed to listen to their ipods...which is a strange rule that is still around.

Mike (St. Paul)

Is the etiquette (music listening/excessive talking/tipping) different in The Big Game in Bobby's Room? If I were acting in a manner unpleasant to the regulars, would they ask me to leave?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:59 PM)

Mike - these guys play together all the time. They're comfortable around each other and enjoy the time at the table. While they're trying to take each other's money, they're also enjoying the game. I would say the etiquette is the same and if you were bothersome to the players, they'd most likely ask you to leave.

Brian (LA)

I just got back from Vegas and took a stop by the Bellagio. I saw Johnny Chan, Johnny World Hennigan, Jason Lester, and someone else playing Chinese Poker in Bobby's room. Word is the big game has been running often during the WSOP.

Teller (Dedham)

Getting back to your question on who you wouldn't want to see at your table, is there a worse sight than seeing Gus sit down with a big stack?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:59 PM)

Depends if you think you can take it away from him.

Adam (Chicago)

Dwan would scare me at my table

Andrew Feldman

  (3:01 PM)

Yep. He's another good one, but he's more deadly at a cash game than tournaments.

Adam (Chicago)

Andrew Feldman would not

Andrew Feldman

  (3:01 PM)

Didn't think I would.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:01 PM)

Thanks for all the questions today. I'll be back tomorrow same time -- 2 pm ET. Don't forget to watch Johnny Chan face off in the heads-up finals tonight on ESPN360.com.