The Nuts: ZeeJustin Signs with Bodog, Tournament Recaps and More
This month The Nuts looks at the recent changes to the WSOP Final Table, a few recaps of recent live tournaments and some big news for Team Bodog
May 9, 2008
By Jake Gosselin
Bodog Nation Contributing Writer
WSOP Final Table to Be Played Live
Unless you just crawled out of the woods after weeks of suckling at your wolf mother’s teat, it’s safe to say that you’ve already heard that the WSOP Main Event’s final table is getting played out live (well, almost live) in November.
RawVegas lugged their cameras around Sin City to get the poker world's opinions on the WSOP change. The general consensus was cautious optimism.
The basic position for the pro side of the argument is that it’s going to be a great way for poker to get back its momentum in the mainstream media. With all the hype that can be generated over the months between the end of the WSOP and the Final Table, the nine players, whoever they may be, can be turned into quasi-celebrities. The final nine will also have lots of time to cut deals for logos and to prepare themselves for the game.
It was this last point that led to some strong dissention from Bryan Micon of NeverwinPoker.com who feels it negatively impacts the integrity of the tournament by allowing terrible players to hire the best in poker coaches and get trained up to a respectable skill level in time for the Final Table.
The debate continues to rage across the blogosphere. Let us know what you think and we’ll print it in the next installment of The Nuts.
Whether you think it’s a good idea or not, one thing is for sure, WSOP Final Table prop bets are going to see a lot more action this year.
Allen Cunningham Wins WSOP Circuit Event
Everyone likes Allen Cunningham. How can you not? He’s a great guy and a killer poker player. His five WSOP bracelets speak for themselves not to mention his recent first place finish in the Caesars Palace WSOP Circuit event that earned him $500,000.
Cunningham came back from a four-to-one chip deficit in heads-up play to beat Ben Fineman. The last hand came when the same card that gave Fineman his straight also gave Cunningham his flush – poker can be cruel that way.
Glen Chorny Wins EPT Grand Final
Twenty-two-year-old Glen Chorny of Canada won the $3.2 million first place prize at the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo. The Canadian’s win made this the third year in a row that a North American has won the tournament.
Erik Seidel Wins First WPT Title at WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic
After an epic 12 hours and 229 hands at the WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic, poker pro Erik Seidel finally took down the title. It must have felt like destiny was on his side as Seidel began the table as chip leader and never dipped below first all the way to the very end.
It took a record setting six hours of three-handed play between Seidel, Andrew Barta and Robert Richardson before Barta finally busted out. The next hand immediately led to another record being set for the shortest heads-up match when Richardson busted out.
There probably couldn’t have been a more deserving victor as Seidel had come into the tournament with 15 WPT cashes, four of which were final tables, not one of which did he win.
Justin Bonomo Signs with Bodog
Meet the latest addition to Bodog’s roster of poker pros, Justin Bonomo (a.k.a. ZeeJustin). Twenty-two-year-old Bonomo already has more than $1 million in tournament winnings.
In 2005, at the ripe old age of 19, he became the youngest player to ever make a televised final table when he played in the WPT French Open. In 2006 he made four final tables at the Five Diamonds Poker Classic. Last summer saw Bonomo cash three times at the WSOP, one of which was at a final table.
Bonomo kept his money making streak alive by making the final tables of the 2007 Caesars Palace Classic Main Event, the 2008 WPT Borgata Winter Open and the 2008 WSOP Circuit event at Caesars Palace.
Bonomo also snagged the honor of being the youngest player left standing in the prestigious $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event at last year’s WSOP. He continued to prove his versatility by finishing second in the $3,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2007 WSOP Circuit Event at Caesars Palace.
On joining Team Bodog Bonomo had this to say:
"I’m extremely excited about joining the select ranks of Team Bodog pros and becoming an ambassador for the Bodog brand alongside David, Evy and Jean-Robert. I know each of them personally and have tremendous respect for them. I’m ready to start things off right by having a big WSOP this summer and hopefully bringing home a gold bracelet for Team Bodog. I’m also looking forward to meeting up with other poker players from around the world at Bodog’s online poker tables."
“BodogAri” Finishes Third at Borgata
The recent Borgata Deepstack tournament was not only the largest guaranteed tournament ever to be playing in Atlantic City but its gigantic field of 775 player generated a $1,550,000 prize pool.
Bodog’s own Alan “BodogAri” Engel took down third place for $120,125. First place went to Schuyler Twaddle who won $396,095.
Bodog Awarding Up to Six WSOP Seats Weekly
WSOP Main Event seats are flying off the shelves now with up to six seats awarded each week. The Player’s Choice Semifinal can be used to get a WSOP seat and it runs every Monday night at 9:15 p.m. ET. There are also WSOP semifinals running on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 9:15 p.m. ET, as well as on Saturday and Sunday at 3:15 p.m. ET. Be sure to check out the Sunday semifinals as they guarantee a minimum of two seats.
Find out more about qualifying online for the WSOP.
PHOTO: Justin "ZeeJustin" Bonomo.
