Wow! What a Super Bowl! Many people thought that last year’s Super Bowl between the undefeated New England Patriots and the New York Giants wouldn’t be topped for quite a while. Well, this year’s Super Bowl surpassed that one. I believe it was the best Super Bowl of all time. I probably feel that way partly because I had Arizona (+7) and the over (46.5) in the game – and I still can’t believe I won the over. In poker terms, you took a “bad beat” if you had the under in this game.
Hats off to both the Arizona Cardinals and Pittsburgh Steelers for giving us a game they’ll be talking about for quite a while. That’s especially true in the sports books – where the first half side and total was determined on that incredible last play of the half and the game’s side and total were determined in the last few minutes of the game. Nobody turned the dial during this game!
No Super Bowl has ever had three more exciting touchdowns and all of them came at critical times. The last play of the first half (James Harrison’s 100 yard interception return for a touchdown) not only dramatically changed the momentum of the game, but also was perhaps the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history. And didn’t it look like Larry Fitzgerald was going to be the hero when he streaked for a touchdown late in the game giving Arizona the lead? But Santonio Holmes, the game’s MVP, stole the show with his toe-tapping, ballet-like catch that sealed the win for the Steelers and gave them their sixth Super Bowl title, more than any other franchise. That really was an amazing catch, huh? For your information, Santonio was a first round draft choice out of Ohio State. Go Bucks!
It’s a shame that either of these teams had to lose. The quarterbacks, Ben Roethlisberger and Kurt Warner, were terrific throughout the game, as were all the receivers. And there was so much drama, especially in the see-saw fourth quarter. IMHO, the only weak link in the game was the referees – way too many marginal calls at critical times for my taste.
OK, so much for the Super Bowl. Let’s talk a little poker. Have you seen the 2009 WSOP schedule yet? Well, apparently, there were no thoughts about a recession when they made up this schedule. There are 57 bracelet events (more than ever). The kickoff event on May 28th is a $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament (supposedly to commemorate the 40th WSOP). There’s also a $50,000 HORSE tournament and ten (yes, ten) $10,000 buy-in events and six $5,000 buy-in events. The Main Event kicks off on July 3rd, but again doesn’t end until November (The final table is on November 10th).
It’s not cheap at the WSOP, but here’s a little good news for players looking to save a few bucks: For the first-time ever, there are no rebuy tournaments at the WSOP (something I’ve been advocating for years). I’ve always believed that tournaments where you award bracelets and/or have a best all-around player award should be equal for everyone and rebuy tournaments are not. I don’t think anyone would argue against the fact that rebuy tournaments favor those with deep pockets. Let me be among the first to salute the WSOP decision-makers for making this move, as it creates fairness for all.
All is not a bed of roses at the WSOP, however. I’m not crazy about the inaugural $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold’em tournament. I just don’t think it makes sense to have a buy-in for a No Limit Hold’em tournament at any venue that is bigger than the buy-in for the championship event (and this is way bigger). My guess is that making a $40,000 buy-in event the first tournament held could cause some serious bankroll damage to a number of players.
I can also foresee some PR difficulties for the WSOP media by putting in such a big No Limit tournament. A lot of pros will now consider this event to be as personally satisfying to win as the Main Event. That’s because this will be an extremely deep-stacked tournament and it will take a lot of heart and skill to win it. The vast majority of entries into this tournament will be pure thoroughbreds (You could call this tournament “The Breeder’s Cup of Poker”).
It will be VERY prestigious to win this $40,000 buy event. One thing’s for sure from a television point of view: This final table will most likely be the best-ever No Limit Hold’em final table ever assembled – and that will certainly make for a great TV show.
The “November Nine” is back. If you’ve read any of my previous articles on a November final table for the WSOP, then you know that I’m not a fan of that idea and I haven’t changed my mind about that since last year. I just think the negatives outweigh the positives in doing this. I don’t like the idea of playing a final table several months after it’s assembled. The dynamics change too much – and not for the better in my view. Unless the players are being compensated (at least $100,000 per person), I don’t believe they should have to wait four months to finish a tournament and get their money.
Having said all of that, isn’t it exciting just thinking about the potential of winning a lot of money at the WSOP? My guess is that you’re like me and can’t wait for it to start. See you there!
Take care.