On Sunday, the third of four starting days in the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event will kick off with Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) issuing the traditional “Shuffle up and deal” command. In addition, “Emperor” Phil Hellmuth will make his entrance.
With Sunday majors expected to keep many of the world’s top online poker players away from Day 1C, Frank and Hellmuth will instead take center stage. Frank, whose Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection, and Enforcement Act (HR 2267) is up to 40 co-sponsors, will also be available to media inside the Pro’s Choice Suite adjacent to the Amazon Room at 1:00pm Pacific Time. All WSOP credentialed media are invited to attend the function, which will take place one hour after Frank authorizes Rio dealers to begin Day 1C. A press release issued by the Poker Players Alliance (PPA) on Sunday morning noted, “Chairman Frank has been online poker’s greatest advocate in Congress, sponsoring legislation to license and regulate the game (HR 2267) as well as delay implementation of Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA).”
HR 2266, which delays industry compliance with the regulations of the UIGEA by one year, is up to 23 co-sponsors after being introduced on May 6th, nearly two months ago to the day. Both HR 2266 and HR 2267 have been referred to the House Financial Services Committee, of which Frank is the Chair, although neither has been scheduled for markup in Committee. Last September, Frank’s HR 6870, the second installment of the Payments System Protection Act, was approved by the House Financial Services Committee in a 30-19 vote, but failed to reach the House floor due to the then-emerging financial crisis in the United States and around the world.
Those registered for Day 1C will also witness Hellmuth, an Ultimate Bet pro, enter the Rio in grand fashion. This year, the 11-time WSOP bracelet winner will arrive as “Emperor Hellmuth,” according to a press release distributed by the Tokwiro-owned online poker room: “Hellmuth will enter the Rio Convention Center appropriately attired, in keeping with Ultimate Bet’s Romanesque 10th Anniversary theme. Come see Emperor Phil as he leads his legions into the Amazon Room to take his seat at the table and thus begin the ultimate challenge of conquering the 2009 WSOP Main Event.” Play will begin on Sunday at Noon Pacific Time. When Hellmuth will arrive is anyone’s guess.
Twenty years ago, Hellmuth became the youngest WSOP Main Event winner ever at age 24. His record stood for 19 years until 2008, when Danish poker pro Peter Eastgate took down the industry’s most prestigious tournament at age 22. Hellmuth has recorded five in the money finishes during the 2009 WSOP leading up to the Main Event, a tournament he grabbed 45th in last year for $154,000. Ultimate Bet notes that Hellmuth’s entrance will provide for “magnificent photographic and video opportunities.”
Last year, Hellmuth donned UB Army attire when entering the Main Event. In 2007, he famously collided with a light pole in the Rio parking lot while at the wheel of a racecar. Hellmuth leads all players with 11 WSOP bracelets. Hot on his heels are poker legends Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan, who own 10 bracelets apiece. Johnny Moss holds nine bracelets, just ahead of Full Tilt Poker pro Erik Seidel, who owns eight. Phil Ivey’s dual bracelet wins this year propelled the top all-around player to seven overall, tied with Billy Baxter. A total of 57 pieces of hardware were handed out during the 2009 WSOP festivities in Las Vegas. Four more will be awarded as part of WSOP Europe in London.
Monday marks the final starting day of the 2009 WSOP Main Event. The field will play down to the final table on July 15th, when the action will be paused for four months until November 7th. The feature table will be played on the morning of November 10th and air on cable station ESPN that night.
