Andrew Feldman

  (2:00 PM)

Hey everyone and welcome to Thursday's Chat! We're a week and a day away from the start of the 2009 main event and Jeffrey Lisandro has already won three bracelets. Wow. Send your questions in now, I'll get to them in a minute.

Reedo (Pittsburgh)

Does this victory put Lisandro's name up there with the greats?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:06 PM)

I can't argue against it...wait, yes I can... I was pretty impressed by his second victory as beating out that Stud field was far more difficult than the first one given the high buy-in. This last victory in Razz...which is btw, the most painful game in the world, seals the deal for 2009. His ability to read and remember stud hands is impressive and that's why he's so good in this type of events. Is he one of the greats....in 2009, there might not be anyone better.

Neal (Philly)

If Lisandro and Ivey played on the same Day 1 of the main event, which one would more likely be placed at the ESPN featured table?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:07 PM)

Ivey. Lisandro isn't any more of a talker than Phil, but people will recognize Ivey much more often than they would Lisandro. Good question though, I'll ask the TV guys...

Willie Randolph (?)

If Lisandro would have lost last night, how would it have compared to the Mets' late season collapses of the last 2 seasons?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:08 PM)

It would rank right up there. He had almost 90% of the chips in play with three to go. If he blew that lead...in a limit game...it would've been worse than the Mets in september.

Aaron (Vegas)

Is Lisandro winning all these events and probably POY bad for poker.. i mean look at lindgren and negreanu and online players winning it in the past and it boosted poker's popularity.. lissandro just isn't that popular, plus his altercation a couple years back..

Andrew Feldman

  (2:10 PM)

I think that's the problem though. He's only remembered for the altercation and nothing else. I don't see it being bad for poker in any way as all he's done is to make himself shine a little more in the eyes of the poker world. Yes, he's no Lindgren or Negreanu, but people will recognize the name for one reason or another and be impressed by the accomplishment. Maybe the media needs to make him more popular...but he'd have to start giving interviews first...

Marty (Raleigh, NC)

I'm assuming that Barry and Lisandro are absolutely slaughtering Daniel and E-Dog in their prop bet, right? Did anybody predict that?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:11 PM)

I think the only two to predict it was Barry and Jeffrey. Daniel is probably pretty bitter about it right now especially since Lindgren hasn't been pulling his weight in the bet. I think it's the curse of my WSOP fantasy team. Whoever I take, bet against 'em.

Mike (Cincinnati)

Eastgate hasn't cashed yet in wsop; is he going to be more like Yang or be respectable like Moneymaker or Raymer?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:12 PM)

I don't think that Eastgate and Yang should be compared whatsoever. Eastgate is primarily a cash gamer and we knew that going in. Yang just doesn't play. Eastgate is also much more a Raymer than a Moneymaker.

Brandon (VA)

Is there a certain profession or activities/hobbies that players are in to that tends to pump out more poker players? I would've thought athletes due to the competitve nature but most pro's look like nerds or are very overweight.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:15 PM)

We had an article on the Magic The Gathering relationship a couple weeks ago from Gary Wise and that game has put out I believe six bracelet winners already. You'll also see a ton of players come from Chess and Backgammon backgrounds. In terms of real athletes, as much as the competition is the same and everyone wants to win, a competition that lasts 14 hrs a day isn't the same thing as a nine inning baseball game. It takes two different skill sets and for many athletes, patience over a long period of time isn't a typical characteristic.

Joe (Atlanta)

With the 50 K Horse event coming up and they way they are plaing would you can take Ivey and Lisandro vs the Field... Who do you take

Andrew Feldman

  (2:16 PM)

Field. I'd love to see Doyle win this event btw. He's due! Heads up versus Hellmuth for the bracelet? Amazing.

Wakiem (Detroit)

With so many brilliant people choosing poker over jobs in the medical industry, financial instututions...etc are we seeing a dumbing of society by the loss of some really great minds?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:17 PM)

Everyone chooses their own profession. I don't think that because there has been an influx of professional poker players we can correlate a drop in the intelligence of society. The minds will be put to use one way or another...

Sean (Philadelphia)

What are the chances that Lisandro wins another bracelet this year, seeing as there is one more stud event left?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:19 PM)

10 bracelets left to be awarded, he's physically exhausted (or so he told the WSOP last night). I don't think he can play to a championship caliber again in the next 10 events. He's still been running better than anyone else, so maybe 15:1.

Lon (Tracy, CA)

Comment on Aarons comment. I think any player that can capture three bracelets in a single season HAS to be good for poker. Think about those out there who believe poker is skill less and nearly all gamble/luck. These multiple event champions especially speak to the skilled needed to play. In the large fields,(1000 ) variance may be too much a factor but in limited fields poker skill can be more readily identified by non competitive players and the general viewing public. Jeff may lack TV recognition, but is that what is really needed? ::Steps off soap box::

Andrew Feldman

  (2:19 PM)

Thanks Lon.

Dan (Denver)

Which game do you think requires the most skill? And which game do you think has the most gamble in it? I personally think its Omaha split as the most skill and no limit hold em as the least skill...maybe razz. Of course ruling out Horse as the hardest for the obvious.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:23 PM)

Not razz. I think I agree with you about O8. To win in that game takes such a great feel for every possibility. On every street, everything can change and adjusting and betting accordingly and correctly is enough of a reason. I don't agree with you about NL HE. There is a ton of skill in playing no-limit, but I don't think it's the bottom. Using the HORSE games as an example, I'd go razz, 7 stud, limit HE, eight or better, Omaha HL.

Matt Radersquad (NYC)

Hi Andrew - I went to dinner last night at a restaurant called Alta with a new girl. We started talking about poker, and SHE brought up Jeff Lisandro! Can you believe how mainstream poker has become? She has never even played poker before. Anyways, I just wanted to share this with you and want to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. Best, Matt Radersquad

Andrew Feldman

  (2:23 PM)

Lock it up. Hope there's a second date.

Craig (Boston)

Best poker book you've read, strategy and otherwise? I'm partial to Stu Ungar's bio, though Michael Craig's book (TP, TB,

Andrew Feldman

  (2:25 PM)

I like Professor, Banker, Suicide King as a non-strategy, but that said, I'm into Matusow's book right now. Really interesting to see his ups and downs. I liked all the Harringtons as well.

Reedo (Pittsburgh)

Over Under 8 years before someone else wins 3 bracelets in a year?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:28 PM)

Over. I can't really comprehend that it happened right now. To beat out three fields this year is amazing.

Pete Samaker (Dough, Sauceville)

Andrew - Do you think games like Studd/Omaha/Razz are "easier to master" since we see more repeat bracelet winners and pros that final table those events rather then No Limit holdem? Or is it a fact that the field sizes are smaller? Thanks for your input!

Andrew Feldman

  (2:31 PM)

Great name. I think field sizes have a lot to do with how many pros we're seeing at the final table, but in terms of easier to master, every game has its nuances. I think in any limit game there are fewer variables to account for as the pot determines your action a good amount of the time. I also don't think that Omaha fits in this question and that's why I'm more impressed at what Scott Clements has done recently.

Jake (Indy)

It seems like ESPN and it's coverage of the Main Event is so short; I would love to see more early and late action of some of the bigger names and how they were knocked out. I would also like to see mabye an hour long piece on the November 9 documenting how they got to the final table; a nice little break down of their major pots won and lost.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:32 PM)

This year we are having more main event hours than ever before. In terms of a November 9 preview show...just wait...next month on ESPN.com, we'll bring you something that will make you happy.

Bob (Sheboygan)

Would ESPN televise the H.O.R.S.E. final table if it was stacked? Say Doyle, Hellmuth, Negreenu, Ivey, etc?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:33 PM)

We're broadcasting it on ESPN360.com this year. We may show coverage on actual TV if there's a reason to, but don't expect to see it on ESPN this summer.

Kyle (SD)

Do you happen to know if Harrah's is running ME satellites over the next week?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:33 PM)

Every day, night, minute until registration ends.

JC (LA)

Is Negreanu that different away from the tables than he is on TV?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:35 PM)

There are many players that are different, but for the most part, Daniel is Daniel. He's pretty much upbeat all of the time around the media (or at least puts on a good face). He actually enjoys playing and it shows when he's at the table.

Justin Bonomo (Your Man Crush)

Despite my hatred for Twitter, I gotta say, it is PERFECT for poker players during the WSOp. Thoughts?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:37 PM)

My man crush? Weird. Twitter and poker go hand in hand. Getting live updates from the felt from the players is something that all the chip-counting sites have tried to do for years now, but there are too many times where the hands are off and the chips aren't right. I think Twitter has helped make poker coverage a little more complete and even after the Twitter fad is over, poker players will keep using it for this reason. Blatant promo - you can follow me at @ESPN_Poker

Newman (Post Office)

Hello, Feldman. Did you see Jason Alexander on PAD this week? He's terrible.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:38 PM)

i didn't get a chance to watch it this week, but I do know he's playing in the main event again and hopefully I'll get a another five minutes from George on the podcast this year.

Ed (Boston)

Could Mr. Pollack please eliminate all the crapshoot NLHE events...I hate watching them on TV

Andrew Feldman

  (2:40 PM)

LOL. Why doesn't he just cancel the WSOP then. I think that would be along the same lines these days. Let's just say they aren't making their money from Razz events.

sarah2503 (san jose)

I don't know if this will get to the commentators there in London but they were asking why there's not a Great Britain soccer team...well they have been trying to get one together for the 2012 Olympics but the Scottish Football Association and the Welsh Football Association won't agree to it...so they stay separate!

Andrew Feldman

  (2:41 PM)

This will not. Sorry.

Keith (Mather)

More difficult tournament to win... the WSOP ME or the Stars $11 200k which routinely gets between 20-30k runners. Obviously the ME will have a higher skill level overall but I'd think the Stars tournament would be more difficult to win outright just on sheer numbers.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:44 PM)

WSOP ME. In a tournament on Stars, no matter how many players, it's over in a day or two. You can run good for a three-hour period and that will put you in great position for a final table run. Now take the main event where you're playing live, trying to keep a good poker face in front of your opponents, for days on end. You run good for three hours and you've got a long way to go. I like the question though...

Andrew Feldman Fan (Narnia)

Non-poker question. Favorite TV shows?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:45 PM)

Andrew Feldman fan...right....24, Family Guy, Heroes, Entourage

Frank (Arizona)

Are there any "names" that we expect to see at the 50K horse but probably won't end up playing it?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:46 PM)

Both Barry and Daniel are deep in the mixed hold 'em event right now and that final table would take place tomorrow evening....right while the HORSE is playing. I bet they'll still play if they're at the final table, but giving up chips in that tournament is incredible given the buy-in.

Rob (Altamonte Springs, FL)

Do Gary Wise, Lon McEachern, Norman Chad or yourself play in any of the events? And if the 4 of you were playing in the main event - who would you bet on in a last longer?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:48 PM)

Out of the four of us, Norm was the only one to play an event this year -- the 7 card world championship. Lon/Gary and I played the media event last year and I was the last one standing and I'd expect the same to happen in the main event. Or I'd be out in 2 minutes.

Not An Andrew Feldman Fan Anymore (Narnia)

Heroes SUCKS. It was great for the first season and then everyone started becoming good and bad and good and bad within like 10 minutes and the characters became so annoying. Sylar's a good character and Claire's a smokeshow, but otherwise, blech.

Andrew Feldman

  (2:49 PM)

It had an entertaining second half of the season that got me back into the show. The season last year was pointless.

Brian (LA)

What does Lon McEachern do other than poker commentary? Write? Other broadcasts?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:50 PM)

A couple years ago he was working as a loan something or other in addition to all his TV work. I'm not sure he's still there these days. He still loves the yearly Glass Breaking competition that you can find on ESPN2 at 3 a.m.

Brandon (VA)

I know I'm walking on thin ice with this comment but is Doyle really as good as you guys try and make him out to be. If the Phils or a few others last as long as he has they will double his WSOP bracelet count?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:52 PM)

Not avoiding your question. He might have lost a step or two, but Doyle is Doyle. I mean, he did make a final table just a couple days ago. I think in 10 years he'll probably be fifth on the all-time list.

Jen (Ludvile)

What is a good % of tournament cashes to target when you are playing? If you cash 10% of all the tournaments you enter would this be succesful not factoring in the $$$$ won/lost?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:54 PM)

I would say cash in 20%, final table 5%. Making the min-cash would just keep you afloat, but making a final table every once in a while is the only way you're going to make money.

Milly Meter (Atl)

Andrew - what do you do on the side besides this chat? Thanks!

Andrew Feldman

  (2:55 PM)

Editor for the poker site, poker blogger, co-host of the poker edge podcast, manager of the espn poker club and editorial producer for the fantasy games group.

Reedo (Pittsburgh (City of Champions))

I predict Nergranu ends up with the most bracelets of all time. The reason being that Ivey, being a cash gamer, will eventually lose interest. Any thoughts?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:56 PM)

I don't think it'll be Negreanu at the end. As much as Ivey will lose interest, he wants to be the best on paper and having the most bracelets will prove it.

Brad (Oakland, CA)

You haven't mentioned Dan Harrington on any of these chats except with regard to his books. Is he playing? What's he up to?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:57 PM)

I think he's just enjoying the good life. He doesn't travel the circuit, but he will play the $10Ks when he can. As far as the WSOP, he'll show up for the main event (as well as the champions event earlier this year) and maybe a couple others, but he has removed himself from the game for the most part and has left a great legacy.

Jack G. (Yonkers NY)

Who is the most painful player to interview? Ivey? Lisandro?

Andrew Feldman

  (2:59 PM)

Eastgate and Demidov were tough last year, but most painful....I really didn't get much out of Brandon Cantu during an interview last year...just short answers. I think there are worse...I'll keep thinking.

Levi (Augusta, GA)

I have to disagree with Lisandro being not generally recognizable. Any guy that can ship three bracelets and utter a quality line such as "I'll take your head off" to Prahlad Friedman on national TV automatically warrants some extra face time. So which is the better classic ESPN confrontation? Lisandro/Friedman or Dannenmann/Hellmuth?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:01 PM)

Matusow/Sheik is probably most memorable, unless you call Scotty's berating a confrontation in the HORSE.

Neal (Philly)

Don't forget Matusow/Raymer

Prahlad Friedman (?)

Poker is fun, for everyone. Except my opponents, who shoulda practiced avoidance.

Sam Grizzle (Las Vegas)

Classic confrontation? What about me and Hellmuth?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:02 PM)

Ok, there have been a couple...

Jon (Naperville)

Is Helmuth's ego his biggest strength or weakness in your mind?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:03 PM)

Strength. Everyone wants to bluff him, he knows that, and when he's playing his best he can pick these guys apart. He does have to stop whining though.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:03 PM)

thanks for all the questions today. 1 more chat this week as the HORSE kicks off tomorrow! See you then!