Andrew Feldman

  (2:59 PM)

Hey everyone and welcome to today's WSOP chat! Get those questions in, I'll get started in a moment.

Becky (Atlanta, GA)

The senior event has over 4,000 entries making it the largest 1 day first tournament ever, how crazy it is that the seniors event will be the largest field this year outside of the main event?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:03 PM)

It's not crazy. Earlier this morning I posted on Twitter that I felt we would be above last year's number despite the WSOP being conservative and saying 3,500 was their estimate. The fact that the Seniors event continues to grow while the majority of events this Series are down is very significant. Black Friday really adjusted the overall player base except for one demographic - seniors.

Jon (Tampa, FL)

Now that Ivey has final tabled 3 tournaments (7CS, PLHE, and OH8B talk about variety) in 6 days can you rightfully say again in your "The Nuts" that he is the best player in poker? I understood the stance that was taken to remove him after he disappeared for several months but we all knew who the true number 1 is.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:04 PM)

If he's not #1, there's a huge issue with the rankings. That said, he's No. 1, no question about it. Even if Mercier locks up a win and Ivey doesn't, Phil is the top dog once again.

Erik (Easton,PA)

With Ivey making three final tables so far, is there alot of side action on him winning a bracelet?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:05 PM)

Most bracelet bets were established before the WSOP. There might be a lot of people who are trying to buy out of those bets, but I don't think people would want to bet against him right now.

Alan (AZ)

Over/Under on successful bluffs in the Senior event has to be set at 1.5 right?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:06 PM)

Tough line...I think we saw one four bet last year....Maaaaybe...It's a different game for sure.

Jon (Tampa, FL)

Whats more impressive to you final tabling 7CS, PLHE, and OH8B in 6 days that Ivey did or Hellmuth winning his 12th bracelet in the Razz event?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:07 PM)

That's a great question because both are incredible feats. I'm leaning Hellmuth because its historic...but man, Ivey making three final tables in six days is simply amazing.

gw (denver)

So sick of hearing about Ivey, he isn't good for the game. He took 40 million in FTP divididends. He has a major role in the FTP fiasco regardless if he was involved in day to day operations. He should be on the sidelines of the wsop along with Howard and Chris.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:08 PM)

You're entitled to your own opinion...but he really had nothing to do with FTP's day-to-day operations and therefore, can't be looped into the same category as Chris and Howard.

Rick (Vegas)

Why do alot of poker pros look down on Frankenberger as a poker pro? Personally he played Ivey like I would have, pot everything to force Ivey to play big and hope luck is on my side because Ivey would outplay me if I played small pots. I mean when they gots heads up their was only 25 total big blinds in play.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:10 PM)

I agree. There was lots of chatter about Frankenberger's victory in the negative light. A lot of the strategic purists don't give his game the respect, but really, he's won two bracelets, a WPT event and Party Poker mixed game...what else does he need to do for people to understand that he can play?

Hannah (SoCal)

What has been the biggest surprise so far for this WSOP that you have seen?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:14 PM)

Weird to say this is a surprise, but I'm amazed at the number of familiar faces we're seeing at final tables this year. Every event seems to have two or three players that we already have heard of. At the same time, its a story about those players who aren't able to seize their opportunities and win the bracelet.

Sarge (Lees Summit, MO)

Do any of these young idiots that register for the ladies event, also register for the Seniors event?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:15 PM)

They can if they want to per state law, but I don't think it's as popular a decision as entering the Ladies' event.

Chad L (Chicago)

Andrew, good news! When you're out in Vegas you can get a free lunch everyday just by telling the delivery person you're David Williams.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:16 PM)

Most ridiculous story ever. Who would do that, then own up to it, then give him David a hard time about paying him for the food?

James (Pensacola,FL)

Is Phil Gordon play the WSOP this year?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:16 PM)

He might play the main, but that's probably about it. He's busy on other non-poker ventures these days.

Tony R (Florence, KY)

Who do you feel is the best all around poker player, that the typical poker fan may not know of?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:17 PM)

Shawn Buchanan.

Hannah (SoCal)

Do you think the one drop million is good or bad for the future of poker? I think the exclusivity of it is bad both in buy in amount and cap and will lead to a bad precedence.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:19 PM)

If it becomes a tradition it will bankrupt the industry. I think they should've been more supporting of extending the cap and if they ever do it again, I hope they leave it open.

Neil (Louisville)

Will a hologram player in this year's ME? Seems like the fad is getting out of hand so it probably will make its way to the WSOP.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:20 PM)

Who would the hologram be? Stuey Ungar? Chip Reese?

Keith H (Seattle)

Andrew, could we get a Fantasy Update, please? Thank you.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:21 PM)

Coming on Twitter today. Sorry for the delay on that...

Rick (Vegas)

Are there any updates on the legalization of online poker in the United States. I miss playing my $50 deposit run it up to $800 and lose it all being greedy. The govt should not be allowed to deny me that.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:22 PM)

If you live in Vegas, there's a good chance you could be up and running by the end of the year...your player pool will be small and the sites won't have a ton of huge events, but at least you'll be able to play again if you wanted to.

Tony (NY)

Who or what should we be watching for going into the second half of the WSOP this weekend?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:27 PM)

It's crazy that we're at the halfway point already. The second half of the WSOP is basically filled with the biggest events and the smallest ones. There are plenty more $1Ks, but also the $50K Players Championship, $1M and then the main event. I'd expect to see Ivey make another deep run or two. Maybe Hellmuth takes a step back now that he's got No. 12. I'm not sure if he'll stay as hungry...Also think that Brian Hastings will be this year's double bracelet winner...he's playing lights out, but he'll have to leave the cash games for the next few weeks if he wants a chance.

Ed (Connecticut)

In regards to online poker in the United States, it's worth noting the progress in Delaware, too. Too bad California looks scuttled for now.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:29 PM)

There's progress in a lot of states, but getting this passed in an election year is a major challenge. Not many politicians will put their full support behind a controversial issue at this juncture. I think that Nev/NJ will be the first two states up and running by early '13.

Ben (Philly)

Andrew, regarding online legalization. Last month, I read from multiple sources that Pokerstars was working out all of its issues with the DOJ, which included buying Full Tilt and paying back at its players. The big hold up to this issue was getting the rights to have P-stars in Spain, which required "back-taxes to be paid" on old income that P-stars earned (very weird). Anyway, P-Stars got its license in Spain. Shouldnt this mean online legalization may be even clover than we think?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:36 PM)

PS needed to pay a good amount of money, just like all the other sites that earned Spanish licenses. Not weird, pretty much what PartyPoker did hear in the US post-UIGEA. That said, how much PS paid may have an impact on what happens in the US with the purchase of FTP. Numbers aren't disclosed, but you can imagine that paying two countries an insane amount of money in one month is probably not in their financial best interests. The truth of the matter is that it doesn't matter if they buy FTP and settle up with the DoJ, that is not going to make the legalization of the game move any quicker in the political system.

Bryan (Springdale, AR)

Which interview have you not landed yet in the Poker world that you would love to have?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:37 PM)

I want a one-hour sit down with Ivey. I've spoken to him for minutes in the past, but if I could get him to open up for a while, that would be incredible. Also, I'd like to talk to the outcasts of the poker world, Russ, Ray, Howard, Chris - and find out what the heck happened and more importantly, why it all happened.

Tony (NY)

Do you reallly think Ivey will not play the One Drop Million? Maybe because of the Full Tilt situation he doesnt want to flaunt dropping a milly on one tournament in all the poker players faces.. just a thought.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:40 PM)

I would love to see him in that event because there is probably no other player in the world that is more comfortable playing for that amount of money...but I don't see him playing. It might be due to his FTP associations, or more of a bankroll challenge post Black Friday.

Jon (Tampa, FL)

Victor "isildur1" Blom has had a quiet WSOP... is he playing cash games instead of tournaments like Ben Lamb is doing this year?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:43 PM)

He didn't show up for the first 15 events or so and he has managed one cash. He's most definitely playing elsewhere. As for Lamb, he only played 10 events last year (and cashed in five). He was planning on doing the same this year. At this point in 2011, Lamb hadn't even made the money once.

Jamie (Newark, DE)

You think Nevada would be a small market, imagine Delaware. Home of three degrees of separation.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:44 PM)

Which is why intra-state online poker will not survive. The only way to kill the online game for sure is to have it be state-by-state for the long haul.

Kevin (LA)

Andrew, could Ivey's need to win a bracelet to cover his bets lead him into the one drop?

Andrew Feldman

  (3:45 PM)

I have a feeling that one drop isn't part of the bracelet bets...otherwise, I think he would've been in already. Giving Ivey a 1/48 chance at the start of an event is probably not what those that bet against him had in mind when making the deal.

Frank (NO)

If Ivey had bank roll issues I'm sure there are people that would back him into that game? He is the best and it would be a good investment. I think he is choosing not to play.

Andrew Feldman

  (3:47 PM)

Yes, but would Ivey accept backing at that level? These are the questions I wish we could ask him...

Andrew Feldman

  (3:49 PM)

Thanks for all the question today guys! I'll see you all next time. Enjoy the weekend!