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2005 World Series of Poker |
2005 World Series of PokerA summary of 2005 world series of poker.
Unfortunately, 2005 had been a turbulent year for natural disasters with an astounding $200 billion worth of damages worldwide, while war in the Middle East reported more deaths, properties and lives devastated because of the relentless bloodshed. Apart from all these, what really came as a shocking news that year was the death of John Paul II that brought many people down to their sorrowful tears. However, in light of all these tragic scenario, 2005 was also able to bring new hope and promise back to the green felt table.
The 36th World Series of Poker (WSOP) marked both an end and a beginning for its much anticipated annual events. For more than three decades, Binion Horseshoe Casino had witnessed the making of superstars and celebrities on its poker tables. As tribute to Ted Binion and his early contributions to the industry, it became not only a staple venue, but a home to some of the best WSOP plays in poker history. But from its original setting in downtown Las Vegas, the culmination of the WSOP annual series was moved to the West Flamingo Road. To its good judgment, Harrah's Entertainment decided to host the event in the royal glitz of Rio Hotel and Casino Resort. But despite this sudden change, the 2005 WSOP challenge only proved to be just as thrilling as the previous events.
Needless to say, the month-long event that took place from June 2 up until July 15 was star-studded with prestigious names in popular poker circuits including Hollywood celebrities like Shannon Elizabeth, James Woods, and Jeniffer Tilly; previous world champions such as Greg Raymer, Chris Moneymaker, and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson; as well as big cash earners like Andy Nguyen, An Tran, and female pro, Liz Lieu. They were only some of the spectacular figures on different poker tables that brought more intense challenge in beating the odds for the money finish. The series of fantastic events received exclusive coverage from ESPN. But aside from the limelight of the camera, what inspired more thrill to the game are first-time WSOP participants that surprised many spectators with revealing turn-outs, making some of them real-time winners, as they earn their own precious event titles. However, the news maker that night was not 2004 WSOP bracelet holder, Greg Raymer, but Joe Hachem. Even Chris Ferguson, another world champion and tough contender on the table, did not make it as far as Hachem did on the final play, while Andrew Black and Mike Matusow, who were crowd favorites at the final event, were obviously toppled by Hachem's enviable skill as a newcomer. Nobody predicted the 2005 WSOP to have such a conclusion. Not that it was a shame, but it definitely made the game just more exciting. Poker fans and critics were all agape at the Australian poker player's smashing success. Joe Hachem, meanwhile, can only be more overwhelmed with a stunning $7, 500,000 win. With 5,619 entrants for the Main Event, 2005 also marked one of the largest prize pools in poker history with $10,000 buy-in standard for the championship round.
Qualifying for the WSOP event was never easy. In itself, it is already a gamble, especially for rookies who'll have to start from scratch and even strip $10,000 from their personal funds. Just imagine thousands of skilled poker players the contender will have to outplay and it would actually be very apt to conclude that getting into the final table could be just as challenging as winning it. Joseph Hachem was even lucky that before the 2005 WSOP, he won $28,000 in placing tenth in a smaller event. This had been the source of his bankroll and new-found confidence for the Main Event. The 2005 WSOP changed the life of this Australian player who didn't even imagine that only after seven days, he will then be hailed as a new WSOP champion. This multi-million dollar winner first established a career in the chiropractic field, until he suffered from a rare hand condition that inhibited him from doing his job. As it turned out, Joe Hachem could only use a luckier hand in poker for more than 10 years now. What started as a hobby then turned into a semi-professional gambling feat to support his family. For Joe Hachem, all struggles can only be worth it, especially in a heads-up game with Steve Dannenman, where he went all in for the final play. However, people did not really expect a close battle between Joseph Hachem and Steve Dannenman, when Aaron Kanter was actually leading previous games with more chips. Like Hachem, it was also Kanter's first time to join the WSOP Main Event, while just a few notch behind him was Mike Matusow. Mike Matusow, on the other hand, is already a veteran WSOP player with more than a decade of experience in the league. He won against Steve Dannenman, when he called on a flop. Same was true with Aaron Kanter, who was booted out of the table because of John Derick "Tex" Barch.
Only when they were only down to three that Joseph Hachem had the chip lead at the final table, until he defeated "Tex" Barch, who finished third with $2,500,000. In a one-on-one with Dannenman, Hachem got a 7♣ 3♠ as a final hand, while his opponent was holding a A♦ 3♣. Dannenman then raised the bet for $700,000 before the flop. Hachem called, as the 6♥ 5♦ 4♦ flop came. It gave him a straight (3♠ 4♦ 5♦ 6♥ 7♣), until they decided to have an all-in and called for the final win. With 4♣ on the river, Joseph Hachem was declared the 2005 WSOP grand prize winner for the No Limit Texas Hold'em event. Meanwhile, his tough contender, Steve Dannenman, also went home $4,250,000 richer as a second-placer.
Even if Joseph Hachem got the prestigious bracelet at the conclusion of the event, it was Allen Cunningham who was named "Player of the Year" for the over-all event. He has in his record four WSOP bracelets and 27 money finishes, while also under the rules of WSOP, winning the Main Event won't affect the outcome of this special award. All in all there were more than 40 preliminary tournaments with a minimum buy-in of $500 for Casino Employee's Event of No Limit Hold'em and as much as $10,000 buy-in for the Pot Limit Omaha challenge. One of the biggest cash prize winners was Allen Cunningham , who took home $725,405 from the tournament prize pool of $3,180,900. He played against the 2,305 entrants and finally emerged as the sole champion for the No-Limit Hold'Em with $1,500 buy-in for Day 2. Jennifer Tilly, the Hollywood actress, also won the $1,000 Ladies' No Limit Hold'em event with $158,625 cash prize out of the $546,910 prize from 601 entrants. Meanwhile for the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha, Rafi Amit grabbed the top spot from Vinny Vinh to finish with $511,835 against 165 contenders.
These were only some of the highlights of the 2005 event. But what people barely know are these: there was a total of 5,661 who registered for the No Limit Texas Hold'em final event, but only 5,619 were able to play. Ten players who qualified out of 1,116 entrants from PokerStars.com were all disqualified because they're underage, while two online players died prior to the event. More amazing though, was how Tamao Sato won an entry through a game show. The daughter of Stu Ungar, Stefanie Ungar, was the one who said "Shuffle up and Deal!" to start the tournament. Apart from the popular attendance of more Hollywood celebrities like Tobey Maguire and Mimi Rogers, Mike Matusow also made a scene with a 40-minute penalty for using four obscene words while on game. All these only made the 2005 WSOP challenge more special.
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