Day 1B: Hellmuth May Be Late, but Ivey’s in the House

Day 1A started alot more smoothly for the staff as everyone knew how to handle the flow of traffic, alternates, spectators, everything. They only let players in the room for the first two hours, and the doors don’t open until 11:30. 2,000+ people squeezing into one door is alot, especially as they left another 4,000 folks in their wake to sweat them through the walls.

Last year, Rocco Mediate made the transition from PGA Tour to World Series of Poker. I told Paul Azinger as he walked by, “Hope you go further than Rocco this year.” He said, “Hey, Rocco did well last year.” I told him, “Yeah, but let’s hope you go even further.”

Azinger has more of the make-up of a Juan Carlos Mortensen than a John Juanda. Azinger is hardly a robotic PGA clone, more a player of feel and passion. He had a test similar to Jennifer Harman, his cancer standing in for her kidney failure. I’ll be pulling for Zinger today.

Tiffany Williamson in action for Day 1B. Tiffany made it deep in the Main Event, busting out in 15th after qualifying from the Gutshot Poker Club. The vitriole spewed at her during and following the Main Event was fairly brutal, mostly unjustified, and at times horrific. Racist slurs mixed with critique of the few hands shown on ESPN. I’ve never met her, but I’m hoping to interview the South Carolina native.

Shannon Elizabeth

List of pros I’ll be on the lookout for today: Jeff Madsen (youngest bracelet holder, two 1st’s and two 3rd’s this year), Doyle and Todd Brunson, Allen Cunningham, Annie Duke, Prahlad Friedman, Phil Hellmuth (late for his own ESPN Feature Table), John Juanda, Mel Judah, Ron Rose (above), Paul Maguire (quack, quack), Jason Lester, Joe Sebok, Dewey Tomko, Chris Ferguson, and Devilfish Ulliott. More that I don’t know about yet out there.

Not sure who the best odds are for victory, but I think I’d pick the Man if my life was on the line. There is a roomful of others, but would there be any other choice?