ESPN

Andrew Feldman

  (3:59 PM)

Hey everyone and welcome to Day 2AB. Craziness here yesterday and a small field today...its like two completely different tournaments until they get to Day 3...Send in your questions now, I'll get started in a few.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:02 PM)

By the way, for those that want more info on the issues yesterday, I discussed it at length in both the blog and the podcast...

Sylvain (calgary)

Andrew Ma boy, I'm totally on Harrah's side with Day 1D being out of their hands when it came to turning away ppl!! This is the greatest tournament in the world! and people's ego's got in the way in thinking they can last minute it whether their a celebrity or not!!! You forcasted this storm brewing on Friday! are you surprised that Harrah's didn't at least have a backup plan?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:03 PM)

I think they had a backup plan, but were too stubborn to go back on their words. If they said "hold off a bit" at noon, instead of "we're closed" I think we would've ended at a different result. Unfortunately ,as with everything is Las Vegas, the backup plans must be approved by the Nevada Gaming Commission...and that wasn't done.

Steve (D.C.)

Andrew, based on what you have seen after all the day 1s, which strategy do you think has worked best, Dan Harrington's, tight and solid/pick your spots or the "Splash it around/mix it up mode? I know that both ways have been successful for some, but with the large field, which would you recommend???

Andrew Feldman

  (4:05 PM)

I think that tight was right for the first two levels and then play everything and be aggressive was best for the following ones. Lots of players began to bully at the end of the day to really increase their stacks. The first level was played relatively safe by all and I still think splashing around (unless you have a hand that can make the nuts) is a mistake in the early levels of the main event. Yes, you have 300 blinds, but take some time and get a feel for your table before doing anything too crazy.

Keith (Calgary)

O/U on the average age of the final table? And what odds would you give the one of the 9 is a women? Or odds on one of final 9 being a bracelet winner?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:06 PM)

Way too early to give that over under. The field is a good mix. I'm guessing an average around the mid-30s, but really, it's way too early to tell. Will a woman make it? I'm not too optimistic about that one, but one being a bracelet winner is possible.

Bryan (Baltimore)

Is Phil Gordon playing the main event and if so did he survive day 1?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:07 PM)

Phil was eliminated during Level 4 when his KK lost to A-Q. The money went in postflop on a board of J-10-8 and his opponent spiked a 9 to eliminate a very unhappy Phil.

Aaron Wasserstrom (Gainesville, FL)

Biggest rookie move you've seen yet?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:07 PM)

Moving in with 4-7 with 25 big blinds. I don't get it.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:08 PM)

BTW, I also have Chops from Wicked Chops Poker waiting for questions if you're interested

Aaron Wasserstrom (Gainesville, FL)

What are some of the craziest props you've heard so far?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:11 PM)

The best one I heard so far was yesterday when talking to Jesper Hougaard. Down to 2,000 chips, Hougaard made a last longer with one of his friends at 11:1 (for $1,000). His friend was eliminated shortly after and Hougaard will enter day 2 with $138K. Sick.

Joe (Green Bay)

Andrew, I saw there was a bit of an incident at Dwan's table at the end of the night. Apparently it involved a prop bet, $5k and 10 shots of Patron without throwing up. The shot taker had to be escorted out of the casino because he got a little out of hand. Does Harrahs's frown upon this kind of side action or do they have a "boys will be boys" attitude about it?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:16 PM)

Hah. I think they like the action (since they know the drinker will most likely end up at a table), but the WSOP staff is not happy about something like this. I don't believe it's really in their best interests to have disruptions during play like this event. I hadn't heard about it though until now.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:17 PM)

I really hate the internet here. This is miserable/hate.

Charles (Madison)

andrew you using a dial-up connection?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:17 PM)

No. This is terrible. One year I'd like the WSOP to give the media what they need -- solid internet access.

Ben Button (New Orleans)

So Demidov, Chino and Montgomery are already out. Who out of the remaining November Nine will last longest?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:17 PM)

Dennis Phillips

Phil hellmuth (Las vegas)

Tell me I have on pants today please

Andrew Feldman

  (4:18 PM)

I don't know. You're probably at your house since you play tomorrow.

Ben (Boston, MA)

What is your thought about playing the 5-7 off-suit? I hear that it can be good to always have one of those hands that people play just because.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:18 PM)

Seems like a Madden special to me. It's a monster. You must play it and for many players here at the Rio 5-7 is an insta-shove.

Sam (Boston)

How come Bernard Lee isn't sponsored by any poker sites?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:20 PM)

Good question. I think Bernard needs a couple more major finishes to earn a sponsorship. Unlike the last few years, sponsorships in '09 aren't as easy to get. There are rosters of sponsored playes by all sites that are just filled with talent. Now, you must really make yourself stand out from the crowd if you expect to get one.

Scott (LA)

Chops you've posted a few videos with Scotty Nguyen. Who is the real Scotty? The a-hole in HORSE tournament last year or the one ESPN presented the past years?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:22 PM)

I've been on hand for all of our Scotty shoots and he and his fam have been nothing but nice and gracious. I'm usually one who has no prob in seeing the worst in people and giving no benefit of the doubt, but I think last year's HORSE was an isolated incident. He's a good guy.

Oscar Bluth (Cali)

Anyone going to break 1 million chips today?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:23 PM)

No. I think we're a long way from that. If someone is lucky they'll get to 700,000. I think million-chip players will be reached late on Day 3.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:23 PM)

No. But someone will come close today and will do it tomorrow.

Hubert Lewis (LA)

Who is in your sites? Any surprises yet?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:25 PM)

First, our Last Woman Standing(TM) pick is Lauren Kling. Check out the feature on her on wicked chops poker right now.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:25 PM)

You should check out that feature.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:25 PM)

And like Chino last year, Ozzy87 is our random pick to go deep.

Angry Mob (Las Vegas)

Are they really done dealing with us? No chance? What would you have done?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:27 PM)

I think they should'v etaken a few steps. First, play 10-handed. Second, get more tables approved, third, create a Day 1E. There's not a ton of players in action today so they could've put more players everywhere.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:27 PM)

Cairan O'Leary just doubled up.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:30 PM)

First let me say that Jeffrey Pollack and crew have done a great job every year. The 2009 WSOP was without incident until yesterday. They make it better every year and I have no doubt what happened yesterday won't happen again. But having said that You absolutely find a solution around the situation and prepare for it. As soon as it looked like preregistration may sell out on Monday, you come up with Plan B and make it work. 1. Harrah's lost out on the rake they take from the tournament, so profits lost. 2. players lose out on the extra prize money. 3. the wsop big time loses out by not breaking last year's numbers. the "poker is recession proof" story would've had some legs and been a great boost for the game.

John (Niceville, FL)

Have any players admitted to mucking 4 jacks so that they wouldn't reveal that information to the other players? I'm guessing meat products wouldn't be a huge incentive to give away some of your secrets. And is Milwaukee's Best doing the 2010 buy-in for this year's bubble again?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:31 PM)

One last thing, The pluses of getting these people in far outweighed the negatives. Wish it would've happened.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:31 PM)

Nobody is mucking four jacks and I have no idea about the bubble boys, but I'll find out later this week.

Brian (South Orange)

How much can an average Joe at the featured table make by putting a patch on?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:32 PM)

Rumor has it that you could get $10K in endorsement $$.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:34 PM)

Some sites pay $10k. Some sites pay $3-5k. Depends on what stage in the tournament you're at and some other factors. Because of new logo rules, each site can only patch 3 players per featured table, so some of the bidding on players to get more money is gone this year.

Tony Orlando (Las Vegas, NV)

How rough must it be to have to play across the table from Lacey Jones?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

Hah. I think they like the action (since they know the drinker will most likely end up at a table), but the WSOP staff is not happy about something like this. I don't believe it's really in their best interests to have disruptions during play like this event. I hadn't heard about it though until now.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:36 PM)

Not rough at all. She's even better looking in person than in photos

gary jhs1982 (North Carolina)

Of the people with low to moderate chips, who do you like to make a comeback?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:39 PM)

Not sure if "comeback" is the right word, but guys who I would expect to chip up are Mike Matusow, Barry Greenstein, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, maybe Greg Raymer...the usual suspects.

Chris (Costa Mesa)

What would you say is the bigger advantage, playing with "More armatures" on day 2ab or playing the bigger field with more chips in play on day 2cd?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:40 PM)

I think playing in Day 2B with more amateurs and more chips in play. Yeah, you got lots of top pros, but there is still a ton of dead money in there.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:41 PM)

I think playing in Day 2B with more amateurs and more chips in play. Yeah, you got lots of top pros, but there is still a ton of dead money in there.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:42 PM)

And I'm going in the complete opposite direction. I think playing in 2A is the way to go given the composition of the field.

Jeremy (NJ)

If Lisandro captured the ME this year, would his run in the 2009 WSOP be considered the greatest of all time?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:42 PM)

I don't know how anyone could argue against it...but people can and will.

Chops

  (4:44 PM)

If Lisandro won the ME, without a doubt, no question, the greatest WSOP ever.

Chops

  (4:44 PM)

He could officially retire and be James Gandolfini's stunt double for the rest of his life.

Chuggies (Parts Unknown)

The way Negreanu and Doyle approach the ME, are they now dead money? It seems like they don't take it seriously anymore and basically make an appearance.

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:47 PM)

Negreanu lost set over set last year and was battling a wicked cold this year, so kind of give him a pass. Doyle I can't speak for but I'd imagine the grind of playing for a week straight may wear on him. But who knows. The game (and interest around it) is definitely better off when they make deep runs.

Donnie B (NJ)

Response to Lisandro Case: The greatest WSOP of all time considering number of events and field size. How can you compare the 40th WSOP with any other WSOP before say 1996? Or even further?

Charles (Madison)

Is the Dream Team Poker touranment this weekend a bracelet event?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:47 PM)

Nope and no offense to the tournament organizers, but I hope it remains a non-bracelet event.

Stu Ungar (Las Vegas, NV)

So do you think the guys that played In the WSOP in the 70's and 80's would have a chance in today's tournament?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:50 PM)

Everyone seems to think Stu Ungar would. My gut is that if you were a good poker player in the 70's or 80's, you'd figure out today's game, adapt, and be good now. Doyle did. So did Chip Reese. Maybe Jack Strauss wouldn't have. And don't even get me started on Mansour Matloubi.

Joe (Fabulous Woodstock, GA)

Chops, when are you getting a mugshot at the top of the page like Feldman?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:50 PM)

Never.

Neal (Philly)

Do you think satellite seat winners are a huge reason why everyone registers for Day 1D. For example ESPN Club winner was signed up for Day 1D, and most players who win a prize package to play in the ME, would choose that day since they only have so much spending money? Could that also be the reason why the Pros like to play on that day as well? Maybe Day 1D should be reserved for just satellite winners.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:51 PM)

Actually, I gave Eric the choice of when he wanted to play and he took Day 1D. Pros and amateurs alike look at the Day 1s in the same way and I definitely don't want to see a satellite only day.

Jeff (TN)

Is Jason Alexander making for good TV at the feature table or does he just play and not act for the cameras?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:54 PM)

I'll say this: Jason Alexander is one of the best interviews we do every year. So he makes good TV. But he takes his poker very seriously too. Glad he's making a solid showing this year. With him sitting next to Raymer, did they make the table 6-handed? Can they fit 9?

Tiffany Michelle (Los Angeles, CA)

I don't get it. I'm totally like hot and full of personality and whatnot yet I hardly ever see myself in Wicked Chops? What gives?

Chops (Wicked Chops Poker)

  (4:55 PM)

We've actually given Tiffany some big face time in the past. She was a FOWCP way before her big WSOP run. Unfortunately she decided not to play the ME this year due to a "major opportunity" with something involving a film project.

dwhit110 (Cincinnati, OH)

Can you guys convince Jason Alexander to shout out some Seinfeld lines after hands? "Serenity Now!!!" "George likes his chicken spicy!!!"

Andrew Feldman

  (4:56 PM)

I'm going to ask him to do it. Or at least something George related if he makes it through the day.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:56 PM)

Ok, I gotta run and update the blog. Thanks for all the questions today. Don't forget podcast, blog, video and twitter at @ESPN_Poker. Talk to you all tomorrow on Day 2CD.