In a scene reminiscent of a Super Bowl post-game press conference, about 30 media members hit the Masquerade Stage at the Rio on Monday afternoon to interview 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table survivors Darvin Moon and Joe Cada.
The rumor flying around the Rio this morning was that PokerStars had signed Moon, securing the rights to both players in tonight’s finale. However, WSOP Director of Communications Seth Palansky told Poker News Daily that no new logos could be introduced once the final table began, even for charitable organizations. Its broadcast on ESPN will air all in one night, making additional logos potentially seem out of place. Moon told us that he had not received any logo offers since play concluded early Sunday morning.
One of the hot topics discussed during the proceedings was Moon’s lack of a logo deal. When asked if anyone had put pressure on the Maryland logger to sign a deal, Moon responded, “There was no pressure because I wasn’t signing.” He added, “They weren’t aggressive. They wanted to get me to sign a deal and I wasn’t interested. It would be bad for them and bad for me both if I would sign because I wouldn’t do what they wanted me to one day and we’d have trouble.”
On his future, Moon told the assembled panel of media, “I’m going to play some tournaments elsewhere win or lose, but I’m going to do them on my terms when I want to be there and do my thing.” WSOP Media Director Nolan Dalla took to the stage and introduced Cada and Moon before the interview process began. On the pomp and circumstance of the affair, Moon told reporters, “I’m not used to this. I’m uncomfortable as hell and that’s the way it is.” Less than five feet away was a pile of $8.5 million in $50,000 bundles.
Across the stage, Cada was surrounded by a larger group of media for much of the 30 minute process. Cada, who has the chance to become the youngest WSOP Main Event winner ever, commented, “I’m pretty aggressive. I’m a heads-up player, so I’m used to playing a lot of hands.” On potentially becoming the youngest champion ever, he admitted, “Being the youngest is a bonus, but the money and the bracelet are the most important things.” Both finalists seemed down to Earth and a crowd of Cada supporters gathered around the stage on the Rio casino floor.
Cada will turn 22 in November, meaning Peter Eastgate’s reign as the $10,000 buy-in event’s youngest champion ever may be short-lived. Cada recalled how he rallied his father to support his blossoming poker career: “He understood. He’s a good logical thinker and I broke it down to him. I had a lot of success and had made a lot of money before deciding to play professionally.” Cada was pent up in his room for much of Sunday relaxing with friends and family, while Moon told Poker News Daily that he suffered a losing session of Texas Hold’em Bonus at the Rio on Monday morning.
Moon has been playing poker for two years and told ESPN cameras that 6,300 of the 6,494 runners in the Main Event were superior in skill level. Moon is headed back to the Oakland, Maryland Elks Lodge for a 70 player, $30 buy-in event on Friday night, just a few days removed from the finale at the Penn and Teller Theater at the Rio. Moon dined at the Sports Grill next to the Rio’s sports book for lunch on Monday, while Cada, his agent, and his girlfriend were 100 feet away at the Great American Grill.
The action resumes at 10:00pm PT at the Rio and will air on ESPN 24 hours later. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest from Las Vegas.
