With the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in the midst of a four month hiatus, the members of the November Nine are currently engaged in the inevitable media onslaught. Of course, these players are also mentally preparing to return to the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino to battle for the coveted WSOP Main Event bracelet, the $8.5 million first prize, and instant poker stardom. This year’s group is led by chip leader Darvin Moon, who has over 25% of the chips on the table, and poker superstar Phil Ivey.
To follow all of the exciting news and behind-the-scenes action, watch ESPN.com’s new weekly poker show, ESPN Inside Deal. This weekly poker show, which airs online, debuted on Tuesday, August 4th with its first guest, the 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker. I have significant inside information about this show since I am one of the co-hosts along with ESPN the Magazine contributor Laura Lane. During the next few months, we will interview members of the 2009 November Nine, while giving the viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the WSOP. You can send a question to us via e-mail, Twitter, or Facebook. I hope you will join us each week, as I am sure that you will enjoy the show (look for our version of “This is Sportscenter” commercials). Visit ESPN.com/InsideDeal or ESPN.com and search “Inside Deal”.
Beyond the November Nine, this year’s WSOP was known for its multiple bracelet winners, four to be exact. Each player had their own interesting story prior to their incredible summer. Here is a brief recap of each of them:
Jeffrey Lisandro (2009 WSOP Player of the Year and winner of three bracelets)
In 2007, Lisandro was still on the BPWB (Best Player Without a Bracelet) list. However, later that summer, he was able to remove himself from this dubious group, which currently includes Andy Bloch, Michael Binger, Michael Mizarchi, Gavin Smith, Gus Hansen, Patrik Antonius, and Jonathan Little, among others. Lisandro captured the win in Event #32 ($2,000 Seven Card Stud), outlasting 212 other players and taking home $118,426. However, this year he outdid himself, winning three WSOP bracelets and capturing 2009 WSOP Player of the Year honors. Positioning himself as one of the best Seven Card Stud players of all-time, Lisandro won all three bracelets in variations of this classic game (Event #16, $1,500 Seven Card Stud; Event #37, $10,000 Seven Card Stud 8 or Better; and Event #44, $2,500 Razz). Oh, by the way, Lisandro also finished ninth in Event #6, $10,000 Seven Card Stud. In total, he cashed six times this summer, pocketing over $800,000.
Greg Mueller (Winner of two Limit Hold’em bracelets)
This former professional hockey player from Canada had been a bridesmaid in back-to-back years at the WSOP. In 2007, Mueller finished second in Event #1, $5,000 Mixed Hold’em, to Steve Billirakis, who still holds the record for being the youngest WSOP bracelet winner. In 2008, he came ever so close again, this time losing to Phillip Tom in the $5,000 No Limit Hold’em Shootout. However, the third time was a charm, as he captured Event #33, $10,000 Limit Hold’em. I had the pleasure of witnessing this victory first-hand, as I was the lead commentator on ESPN360.com. The most critical pot occurred three-handed against the chip leader at the time, Chad Brown. Mueller 4bet Brown, who made a crying call with an ace-high flush. However, Mueller turned over a straight flush, allowing him to take over the chip lead. From that moment on, he never looked back and took home his first bracelet along with $460,836. However, he was not done for the summer, as he captured a second bracelet just 11 days later, when he took down Event #50, $1,500 Limit Hold’em Shootout, and another $194,909. Congratulations to a solid player and gentleman at the tables.
Brock Parker (Winner of two Six-Handed Hold’em bracelets)
Well-known online for years as “t soprano,” this 27 year-old from Maryland made his mark in live tournaments this summer at the 2009 WSOP. Beginning with Event #14, $2,500 Limit Hold’em Six-Handed, Parker outlasted the popular Daniel Negreanu heads-up, capturing his first WSOP bracelet and $223,688. Amazingly, three days later, Parker found himself at another WSOP final table, this time at Event #19, $2,500 No Limit Hold’em Six-Handed. Ten hours later, he had outlasted 1,067 other players and won his second bracelet in back-to-back events, cashing for 552,745. Who says that online players can’t make the transition to live poker?
Phil Ivey (Winner of two bracelets and member of the 2009 November Nine):
Nicknamed the “Tiger Woods of Poker,” Ivey entered the 2009 WSOP with five bracelets; however, he had not won any hardware since 2005. He ended his dry spell this summer with a vengeance. First, Ivey captured Event #8, $2,500 No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball, becoming the youngest player to own six WSOP bracelets. Nine days later, he rewrote the history books once again, becoming the youngest ever to capture seven, prevailing in Event #25, $2,500 Omaha 8 or Better/ Seven Card Stud 8 or Better. Ivey then outlasted nearly 6,500 players to earn a spot in the 2009 November Nine. Amazingly, he has finished in 23rd place or better in the WSOP Main Event four times in the past eight years – 2002 (23rd place), 2003 (10th place), 2005 (20th place), and 2009 (at least ninth place). Simply remarkable! If he does capture the 2009 WSOP Main Event, it will amazingly be his first No Limit Hold’em bracelet and will surely cement his legacy as one of the best players of all-time.
As for me, my second WSOP trip and Main Event were filled with more bad beat stories. There is no need to elaborate any further. Suffice it to say, I did not have a good 2009 WSOP. Oh well, there is always next year.
And as a final note, don’t forget to listen to my radio show, The Bernard Lee Poker Show, on RoundersRadio.com on Tuesday nights from 7:00pm to 8:00pm ET and repeated throughout the week. Upcoming guests will include Tom McEvoy, winner of the 2009 WSOP Champions Invitational, and members of the November Nine.
