Shooting Online Players: Part II

Well to select today’s online player “victims,” I decided to scan the money list at this week’s Mirage Poker Showdown.  With 27 players making the money (and the final table to start today), there were a number of talented online players to choose from.  But today I thought we’d tackle Darrell Dicken, Jonathan Little and Jared Hamby.

Darrell “Gigabet” Dicken might actually be considered one of the veteran online players; coming out into the B&M world ”way back” in 2005.   Dicken had a pretty sweet virtual to real transition year, grossing more than $400K in 2005.  He scored three WSOP cashes in his debut year, including a final table in the $1500 Omaha hi/lo event.  He finished off 2005 by making the final table of the WPT Five Diamond Championship at the Bellagio.  In total, Darrell has grossed over $1.2 million in B&M cashes; his biggest score was his 2006 WSOP Rincon Circuit event victory for $372,780.  As he is starts the Mirage final table today third in chips, I suspect he may add appreciably to his tournament tally.  [photo note:  The above picture of Darrell was taken at the 2006 WSOP.  I've taken dozen of pictures of Darrell.   They all look exactly like the one above.  I actually saw him smile once, but I wasn't fast enough to capture it]

Jonathan Little aka Fireyjustice or Jcardshark once said he liked being productive but hated working.  He’s certainly been productive at the Mirage where he starts today’s final table 4th in chips.  He’s also one of the famed Ship it Holla Ballas; which apparently is as much as a lifestyle as it is a group of wildy talented young pros.  I suspect that I lack both the youth and testosterone to fully appreciate the nuances of the Holla lifestyle, but judging from what I’ve seen of Little, it seems to involve a wicked sense of humor and extracting all the chips and enjoyment out of a game they love.  Prior to today’s score Little has extracted over $600K from the B&M side of tournament poker.  He cashed in four 2006 WSOP events and his biggest score was another WPT final table; January’s PokerStars Caribbean Poker Adventure.  [photo note: The above picture of Jonathan was taken at this year's LA Poker Classic.  When I scored the picture I yelled "Ship it!" (No, not really.  But you can see why I like having "I Trust Brandi" in my collection.  It's a little slice of online poker history)]

Jared “TheWacoKidd” Hamby did not make today’s final table, but I wouldn’t waste any tears over it.  Hamby cashed in 26th place and was just coming off a win in the $1000 NLHE event at the Mirage.  Hamby’s earnings for just May 2007 ALONE are $100K in the B&M world and another $50K in online tournament play - and May isn’t over yet.  But I doubt May will be able to compete with Hamby’s previous month.  In April, Hamby grossed over $550K, aided by two victories in the $2000 and $2500 buy-in NLHE events at the Bellagio.   Hamby eeked out a cash in last years WSOP Championship event - but he’s gunnin’ for more this year.  Hey - in poker, greed is good.  [photo note: You can always spot Hamby's lucky green Baylor Bear's hat in the field.  Your pictures, however, will usually be mostly hat - and little face.  I caught him peeking at Caesars WSOP Circuit event earlier this month] 

Btw, two online players featured in Shooting Online Players: Part I also were forces at this week’s Mirage Poker Showdown.  Cory “UGOTPZD” Carroll will start today’s final table second in chips and Shannon Shorr scored a 13th place finish.

Is anyone else starting to get the feeling that many online players have graduated from “experienced” to “seasoned”?  I’m suspecting that a lot of these faces will pop up on the 2007 WSOP money and bracelet lists. 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 23rd, 2007 at 7:50 am and is filed under Uncategorized.