2006 July 28 Poker News, Events and Happenings

Amateurs, seasoned pros and celebrities sat down together Friday as the chips were divvied up and the cards dealt for the World Series of Poker.

LAS VEGAS — Amateurs, seasoned pros and celebrities sat down Friday as the chips were divvied up and the cards dealt at the world’s biggest poker game, the main event at the World Series of Poker.

The 37th World Series of Poker opened Friday with more than 8,500 entrants and a top prize of $11.7 million. It’s expected the last 12 players in the annual Texas Hold ‘em tournament will sit at the final table on Aug. 10 in hopes of winning at least $1 million.

We have all at one time or another been involved in a ‘last longer’ bet. Players often make these side bets in single table satellites or with buddies in a multi-table tournament….

(CP) - Preparing for the main event at the World Series of Poker sent Calgary’s Randy Holland to an unlikely place - the local gym.

As the excitement continued to grow for the start of the $10,000 Championship Event of the World Series (which kicks off today), there was still some unfinished business left to take care of in the Amazon Room…

If there is one story that may live beyond any fancy plays of the Main Event this year, it will be of young Jeff Madsen. This 21-year-old player surprised the poker world a week ago by winning his first WSOP bracelet and becoming the youngest player ever to do so. This came a week or two after placing 3rd in another event, already an accomplishment for so new a player…