Here’s the Deal - Ted Forrest Wins, Snoop Dogg Performs

Here’s the Deal presents a week’s worth of poker news - the good, bad, and sometimes ugly - in one place. Between the poker tournaments, player happenings, and political updates, there is a little something for every poker enthusiast.

Poker Events

As was the case for the past six weeks, the 2010 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas was the talk of the poker industry and the focus of most poker media and fans. The $10K No-Limit Hold’em Championship, otherwise known as the Main Event, was in full swing, as the field of 7,319 players thinned to fewer and fewer each day. The prize pool was finally set, and it boasted of $68,798,600, which would be divided up amongst the top 747 players. That point was reached on Day 4 of the WSOP, and the field was whittled down from there. Only days away from finding out the names and faces of the November Nine, the Main Event progressed. 

The World Poker Tour took the week to kick off its ninth season of tournaments with the Bellagio Cup in Las Vegas. Before it started, though, there was a press conference to announce changes for Season 9, such as the reintroduction of Kimberly Lansing, this time as an anchor for the show, Matt Savage as the executive tour director, and the Royal Flush Girls as eye candy and money presenters. Other changes to the season included the option to roll back blinds at the final tables, more television coverage of pre-final table activity at the tables, and tour stops outside the United States, such as in England, France, and more to be announced. With the show ready to go and PartyPoker at the helm, the Bellagio Cup put it all into motion, and a final table boasting of names like Phil Ivey and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith was ready to go on July 15.

In line with other announcements this week, the World Series of Poker announced changes to its upcoming year of Circuit events. Its seventh season will get underway with an August stop at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs series in Iowa, and some of the changes going forward include a rankings system, a season-ending championship tournament with a $1 million prize pool for those who qualify to play, four $10K championship events throughout the season, and $1,500 regional championships to encourage more players to participate. The WSOP looks for the new additions to the season to bring more players to the events and more fans to the computers to keep up with the action.

Poker Players

One of the biggest stories of the week was the annual PokerStars party, held at Rain nightclub at the Palms in Las Vegas. The night of free drinks, dancing, and entertainment was capped off by a 45-minute performance by rap legend Snoop Dogg. After the 2009 party’s star Nelly put on an amazing show, PokerStars outdid themselves by inviting one of the most popular performers in the music industry. The packed house seemed to enjoy the show before resuming Day 3 of the WSOP Main Event.

Many prop bets amongst poker players are private, and almost all remain under the $1 million price tag, but one that ended this week was worth $2 million and a great amount of dedication, and possibly health risks. Ted Forrest won the $2 million from Mike Matusow and Justin Smith because he lost 50 pounds in only a few months. He weighed in at 138 pounds for the ESPN cameras before heading to Matusow’s house on July 14 to settle the bet. Pictures of the very thin Forrest caused a bit of concern, but the bet winner claimed he used a trainer and was in great health, despite not eating for about 11 days or drinking water for an extended period of time prior to the weigh-in. Michael Craig chronicled the activities for the Full Tilt blog. 

Poker in Politics

Barney Frank introduced his online poker legislation in 2009 but hasn’t been able to gain much momentum for it in the past year, with the exception of a committee hearing in December of that same year. Many months later, however, it seems that the bill will be examined again. The Internet Gambling Regulation, Consumer Protection and Enforcement Act, also known as H.R. 2267, will be the center of another hearing, this one on July 21 in the House Financial Services Committee, the one in which Frank himself reigns as Chairman. The bill is not scheduled for markup, and the purpose of the hearing is to gain momentum for the subject matter and find more supporters for an eventual vote.