2009 WSOP Top Ten Memorable Moments and Record Breakers Part 1
The World Series of Poker brings many first and lasts. Even with economy the way it is, the turnout at the 2009 WSOP was massive, with tons of cash paid to individuals as well as deserving charities. While tournament stats saw records break, individual players did as well. Here’s 10-6 counted down of this year’s top 10 WSOP moments, records, and accomplishments. Stay tuned for 5-1.
10. Sell Outs This Year
An unbelievable ten events sold out all available seats this year, almost making the most gold bracelet events to sell out in a single year. Modifications are already being planned for so that next year no one will be turned away.
9. Most Million Dollar Events
39 out of 57 events made it to a $1 million prize pool.
8. Babies at The Final Table
The younger crowd of today’s poker players might be frowned upon by the older and much more old-fashioned players from generations previous, who do not believe in online gaming or playing colorful poker. However, the younger generation has taken the game by storm and is partly responsible for making the game what it is today. The $5,000 No-Limit Shootout proved that youth is the future of poker. It had the youngest makeup of players ever, ranging in age from 21 to 24. Hungary’s twenty-something Peter “Belabacsi” Traply won the event taking home $348,000.
7. The Most Champions In One Event
The Champions Invitational was created this year in honor of the 40th anniversary of the WSOP. 20 past champions were invited to play for Binion’s Cup. There were no bracelets to be won, but the honor was a reward in itself. Tom McEvoy, 1983’s WSOP Main Event Champ won the event. This tournament saw a new record set for most champs in one tournament, the previous record set at last year’s Main Event that included 19 champs.
6. 2nd Longest Final Table
It began on a Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. and it didn’t stop until 10:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, David Bach being happy to be the new HORSE champ, but more so to get the opportunity to leave the table. In playing time alone, this table lasted 18 hours and 44 minutes, making it the second longest final table, which ranks it as number two in the longest game ever after 2008 WSOP Europe’s Main Event went for 19 hours and 9 minutes. Total hands played in the HORSE tourney were 480, also second in record to the 2008 WSOP Europe Main Event. Bach and his opponent, John Hanson, lasted 7+ hours battling it out for the HORSE champion title.