WSOP 2006
What’s the Deal? The 2006 WSOP Is Off and Running
LAS
VEGAS – Aussie! Aussie! Aussie! Ow! Ow! Ow!
That was the battle cry at last year’s World Series
of Poker after Australian Joseph Hachem walked away
with first place and $7.5 million. The defending
champ from Down Under was the man to beat as the
2006 WSOP shuffled up and started to deal last week
at the Rio Resort in Las Vegas.
Hachem is just one of many famous faces among the
contenders, but being a champion doesn’t necessarily
make you a favorite. Hachem, an unknown before last
year’s victory, is a 1,000-1 shot to repeat,
according to odds released at BetUSA.com. He’s had a
good start to the overall tournament, though,
finishing second in the six-handed No-Limit Hold ’Em
event. Hachem came up short against Dutch Boyd, who
won his first WSOP bracelet and $475,000.
The
top contenders for the Main Event include Phil Ivey,
Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer and 2004 WSOP
champion Greg Raymer. Of course, no one knows who
will walk away with this year’s title, but one thing
is for sure, they will be extremely wealthy. This
year’s event is without question the biggest
gambling event in poker history, with $10 million
going to the Main Event winner.
The
first four weeks of the WSOP are filled with events
like Omaha Pot Limit, 7-Card Stud Hi/Lo and
Seven-Card Razz. The premier event will begin July
28 and is expected to draw more than 8,000 players
who will front the $10,000 buy-in. The Main Event is
expected to take more than two weeks, with the final
two days held in downtown Las Vegas at the
historical home of the WSOP, Binion’s Casino.
If
Hachem somehow pulls off the miracle and wins his
second consecutive Main Event, it would be the first
time a player has won consecutive titles since
Johnny Chan did it in 1987-88.
Meanwhile, Ivey is considered the best player in the
world to never win a WSOP Main Event. With the
nickname, The Tiger Woods of Poker, observers have
been touting Ivey for the past few years as the
game’s best overall player. Ivey, at the ripe old
age of 30, has already won more than $5 million and
five WSOP bracelets. He
shares the record of three WSOP bracelets in one
year, displaying a relaxed style and penetrating
stare.
Negreanu, a fan favorite on the World Poker Tour,
flopped big time at last year’s Main Event, but is
always a player to watch. A friendly demeanor and
poker savvy has led Negreanu to more that $7 million
in tournament winnings and three WSOP bracelets.
