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The 2009 World Series of Poker has officially come to an end with Joe Cada’s record-breaking performance to become the youngest WSOP Main Event Champion of all-time. After a three-month break from the action many poker fans may have forgotten just how memorable the 09’ WSOP was. In addition to a legendary final table –which I won’t include in this list-- I present you with the 10 greatest moments from the 2009 World Series of Poker:
1. Jeff Lisandro becomes the undisputed King of Stud
Lisandro has long been considered one of the best Stud players in the world, but nobody was ready for his remarkable run at the 2009 WSOP where he captured three bracelets in the three different forms of Stud: 7-Card-Stud, 7-Card-Stud hi/lo, and Razz.
2. Phil Ivey makes the Final Table
If there is one thing the WSOP and ESPN have been pining for it’s for a megastar to make the final table, and in 2009 that finally happened. Not only did they get a megastar, they got THE megastar in Ivey.
3. Phil Ivey’s bracelet bonanza
If his final table appearance was a coup for ESPN and for poker in general, than Ivey’s two bracelets at the 09’ WSOP officially stamped his ticket to be placed on poker’s Mount Rushmore. No longer is Ivey in the conversation for best player in the world, he IS the conversation.
4. The return of the professional poker player
After year after year of feel good stories and players coming out of nowhere to take down poker’s biggest prizes, in 2009 there was a resurgence in professional poker players’ domination at the WSOP. It seemed every final table was stacked with pro players.
5. Mueller/Parker win multiple bracelets
In any other year Greg Mueller and John Brock Parker would have been the talk of the tournament –both won two bracelets at the WSOP-- but in 2009 they were a distant third behind Ivey and Lisandro.
6. Mike Sexton inducted into hall of fame
Sexton is a poker pioneer who seems to have his hands in every aspect of the poker world: Commentator, world-class player, spokesman, expert witness, and author. Coupled with his impeccable reputation and personality, Sexton is truly the ambassador of poker.
7. Thang Luu’s Omaha 8 dominance
Luu has owned the Omaha 8 game at the WSOP for three years now: 2007 = 2nd place, 2008 = 1st place, 2009 = 1st place! An amazing run for someone whose first WSOP action was in the casino employees tournament!
8. Ville Wahlbeck Mr. $10k
Wahlbeck may have only captured one bracelet, but the Fin seemed to be at every $10k championship event final table: Making four final tables and finishing 13th in another event. In all Wahlbeck had four 6-figure cashes at the 2009 WSOP.
9. Roland DeWolfe hits the trifecta
DeWolfe, a founder of the EPT, was able to accomplish a rare feat: he has won a WPT title, an EPT title, and now a WSOP bracelet. Surely he won’t be the last to accomplish the feat, but as of now he sits alone with gavin Griffin as the only people to accomplish the feat.
10. Tournament of Champions
As a sucker for nostalgia, it was nice to see the former Main Event champions battle it out in an invitation only tournament. The players at this table were not only the pioneers of the game, but were able to keep the game alive and growing. A big hats off to all the past champions.
Previous entries: 10 days out: 9 days out: 8 days out: 7 days out: 5 days out: 4 days out: 3 days out: WSOP begins tomorrow: WSOP final table starts today: WSOP down to two players: Heads-Up battle concludes tonight: Darvin Moon demonstartes the small advantage in poker
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Comments
"9. Roland DeWolfe hits the trifecta
DeWolfe, a founder of the EPT, was able to accomplish a rare feat: he has won a WPT title, an EPT title, and now a WSOP bracelet. Surely he won’t be the last to accomplish the feat, but he will always be the first!"
He's actually the second person to do it, Gavin Griffin was the first.
Thanks for the correction, updated :)
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