With the 41st annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) well underway, there have already been several highlights including:
1. Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi captured Event #2, the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship. En route to winning his first bracelet, he eliminated his brother, Robert, in fifth place, while removing himself from “The Best Player Without a Bracelet” List.
2. Phil Hellmuth created a huge buzz as he made Day 3 in Event #8 ($1,500 No Limit Hold’em), vying for his 12th WSOP bracelet. Alas, his bid came up short, as he finished in 15th place.
3. Men “The Master” Nguyen won his seventh bracelet in Event #10, $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship.
4. Tom “durrrr” Dwan just missed his first bracelet in Event #11 ($1,500 No Limit Hold’em), finishing second to New Zealander Simon Watt, which also prevented him from collecting on several very lucrative prop bracelet bets.
5. Eric Buchman, a member of the 2009 November Nine, was able to win his own bracelet in Event #18, $2,000 Limit Hold’em. Buchman, who finished fourth in the 2009 WSOP Main Event, also came close to a bracelet in 2006, finishing as the runner-up in Event #4, $1,500 Limit Hold’em.
6. Another WSOP Main Event final tablist from 2005, John “Tex” Barch, won his first bracelet in Event #25, $1,500 Pot Limit Omaha.
7. Sammy Farha, who is dubiously best known for finishing as the runner-up to Chris Moneymaker in the 2003 WSOP Main Event, captured his third bracelet in Event #25, the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better Championship.
Additionally, during the WSOP, Poker News Daily and I introduced a new show called The Hijack Seat. The idea for the show actually originated back in June 2009. I came up with the concept of doing audio interviews similar to my radio show, but primarily focused on the players at the WSOP. After discussing the idea with Poker News Daily, there was significant interest, but we realized that there was very little time to work out the details. Thus, they requested that I contact them in early 2010 if I were still interested. In some respects, it was a blessing in disguise, as ESPN Inside Deal began work behind the scenes during the summer and I was extremely busy with the start of the show. Therefore, I put the show idea on the back burner until next year.
Once the new year arrived, I was very interested in the show for the 2010 WSOP. When I reached out to Poker News Daily at the beginning of this year, they asked if the show could be video interviews since the site had expanded its capabilities. After further discussions, I agreed and decided to move forward with it.
I chose the show’s name, The Hijack Seat, for a few reasons. First, I thought the name was somewhat original and cool. With the button, under the gun, and cutoff fairly common, the hijack seat is a relatively new term in poker. Also, to interview my guests, I temporarily “hijack” the player to ask them questions that are somewhat unique and informative. Finally, a player sitting in the hijack seat must get through four spots (cutoff seat, button, small blind, and big blind) to steal the blinds and antes. Thus, I ask them four questions at the end of every program before I let them go.
I hope that you have seen an episode, but if not, here are links to the first few shows and a quick synopsis:
Greg Raymer: “The Fossilman,” who was my first guest, talked about why he likes to rent a house instead of staying at the Rio and what he brings in his daily bag just in case. View Part 1 and Part 2.
Billy Baxter: The seven-time bracelet winner discusses his love of Lowball and his relationship with Stu Ungar.
Howard Lederer: “The Professor” discusses his relationship with Doyle Brunson and his prop bet with David Grey. View Part 1 and Part 2.
Dennis Phillips: The 2008 November Niner talks about his lucky coin, special watch, and prize cows (that’s right, this is not a misprint).
Since the introduction of the show, several people have e-mailed me asking how I am able to interview certain players. Overall, there are three ways. First, I am fortunate that several of these players are personal friends. Second, I have forged relationships with some of these players via my work with ESPN and my radio show. Finally, I have been playing in several 5:00pm events (mostly Mixed Games) and many of the pros play in these events vying for the shot at a bracelet.
I am constantly trying to bring you the best guests and get interesting information about poker and their lives. I hope you will enjoy the future installments of The Hijack Seat.
Bernard Lee is the official spokesperson of Foxwoods Resort Casino. Lee is the co-host of ESPN Inside Deal, host of PokerNewsDaily.com’s Hijack Seat, a columnist for the ESPN.com, Sunday columnist for the Boston Herald, and author of “The Final Table, Volume I” and “Volume II.” Visit BernardLeePoker.com. Listen to “The Bernard Lee Poker Show” presented by Foxwoods Resort Casino every Tuesday from 6:00pm to 7:00pm on 1120 AM in Boston (MoneyMatterBoston.com or RoundersRadio.com). For questions or comments, e-mail him at BernardLeePoker@hotmail.com.