2008 WSOP Main Event Poker Tournament
Well, here we go again ...
I decided to give it another shot to win a seat at the 2008 World Series of Poker $10,000.00 Main Event Buy-In Tournament.
Over the last month I have entered a few on-line poker tournaments, each time using my Frequent Player Points. I had not had much success until I played a 4,000 FPP tournament Saturday May 10th, 08. There were 426 entrants and the top 3-finishers were awarded WSOP seat. Forth place or worse in this tournament got you nothing. I was 2nd in chips with about 30 to go and was third in chips when I made the final table (although 2-9 were close). I ended up crashing out in 7th (with a lot of chips left). I made a big lay-down (which I am not sure was correct) and then I over-played A,J against AA to be eliminated. That was frustrating ...
I was so close to a WSOP seat in this tourney (and I knew I was playing well) that I decided to give it another shot Sunday (May 11th, 08).
The Sunday tournament was a $650.00 Buy-In ($615 + $35). The top 30-people won WSOP Main Event Pokerstars Prize Packages (value $12,500.00) and there were 596-entrants.
I played amazingly in this tournament and with about 75-players to go I was chip leader and felt really comfortable because the top 30-got seats. I slowly increased my chip lead and with 40-players left I could have shut off my computer and still got a seat. It was a great feeling playing knowing I was practically guaranteed a seat. When we reached the final 30-players the tournament ended and I had won my seat.
The value of the Pokerstars WSOP Prize Package is approximately $12,500.00. The package includes $10,000.00 for the Main Event Entry, $2,500.00 for expenses, a weeks stay at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas and a Pokerstars Gift Bag. There are also a few other cash bonus opportunities if you wear their Pokerstars clothing and are shown on TV or if you make the final table.
Now, here's the kicker ... I may not go!
When I previously won my WSOP seat in 2006 I never saw the money. The $10,000.00 entry was paid directly to the casino by the poker site and an extra $1,000.00 was deposited into my on-line poker account to cover expenses. So, it was a 'no-brainer' that I was going to Vegas to use the $10,000.00 entry. This time, the entire $12,500.00 prize is deposited into my on-line poker account and it is up to me to withdraw the funds and then go to Las Vegas and then enter the WSOP tournament on my own accord. It's one thing to go to Vegas, sign a form and get your seat, it's entirely different thing all together when you withdraw $10,000.00 from your own bank account and then go to Vegas to gamble that money ...
Further, vacation time is a little touch and go this year. I've already been to London, Vancouver/Whistler, Costa Rica/Grand Cayman this year and I've ready booked a holiday over Cup Match (end of July). So, basically I am out of vacation time ...
I will have to think about this further, but it is nice to have the option!
I decided to give it another shot to win a seat at the 2008 World Series of Poker $10,000.00 Main Event Buy-In Tournament.
Over the last month I have entered a few on-line poker tournaments, each time using my Frequent Player Points. I had not had much success until I played a 4,000 FPP tournament Saturday May 10th, 08. There were 426 entrants and the top 3-finishers were awarded WSOP seat. Forth place or worse in this tournament got you nothing. I was 2nd in chips with about 30 to go and was third in chips when I made the final table (although 2-9 were close). I ended up crashing out in 7th (with a lot of chips left). I made a big lay-down (which I am not sure was correct) and then I over-played A,J against AA to be eliminated. That was frustrating ...
I was so close to a WSOP seat in this tourney (and I knew I was playing well) that I decided to give it another shot Sunday (May 11th, 08).
The Sunday tournament was a $650.00 Buy-In ($615 + $35). The top 30-people won WSOP Main Event Pokerstars Prize Packages (value $12,500.00) and there were 596-entrants.
I played amazingly in this tournament and with about 75-players to go I was chip leader and felt really comfortable because the top 30-got seats. I slowly increased my chip lead and with 40-players left I could have shut off my computer and still got a seat. It was a great feeling playing knowing I was practically guaranteed a seat. When we reached the final 30-players the tournament ended and I had won my seat.
The value of the Pokerstars WSOP Prize Package is approximately $12,500.00. The package includes $10,000.00 for the Main Event Entry, $2,500.00 for expenses, a weeks stay at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas and a Pokerstars Gift Bag. There are also a few other cash bonus opportunities if you wear their Pokerstars clothing and are shown on TV or if you make the final table.
Now, here's the kicker ... I may not go!
When I previously won my WSOP seat in 2006 I never saw the money. The $10,000.00 entry was paid directly to the casino by the poker site and an extra $1,000.00 was deposited into my on-line poker account to cover expenses. So, it was a 'no-brainer' that I was going to Vegas to use the $10,000.00 entry. This time, the entire $12,500.00 prize is deposited into my on-line poker account and it is up to me to withdraw the funds and then go to Las Vegas and then enter the WSOP tournament on my own accord. It's one thing to go to Vegas, sign a form and get your seat, it's entirely different thing all together when you withdraw $10,000.00 from your own bank account and then go to Vegas to gamble that money ...
Further, vacation time is a little touch and go this year. I've already been to London, Vancouver/Whistler, Costa Rica/Grand Cayman this year and I've ready booked a holiday over Cup Match (end of July). So, basically I am out of vacation time ...
I will have to think about this further, but it is nice to have the option!
posted by Jeffrey Edy at 8:51 AM
0 comments
