2007 WSOP Diary: Day 9, June 9th

  Anybody who thinks that the new World Series of Poker regulations that bar the way for online players to qualify for an event will have a negative impact on the participation in the bracelet chase probably also thinks that green people follow them to work. Another day set a new record. 3,010 were packed at the Rio All-Suite Casino and Hotel and competing in various events. This is the largest number of people ever playing at once on any day of the WSOP that was not the Main Event.  That 3,010 was knocked down to 3,008 when the last two survivors of Event 12 finished play. Jason Warner was awarded the bracelet after defeating David Lolis for the championship. In the next to last hand David tried to suck Warner into a trap and slow played two Aces that he clutched in his hand. On the surface, this seemed like a good idea. The flop neutered his cards. The Turn and River were both about as helpful as a Tabasco sauce enema and he lost a significant number of chips. In the final hand it was Warner's pair of sixes that took down David's pair of fours.  After going through Event 13 like Michael Jackson at a Cub Scout Jamboree, "FBT" Mueller was stopped well short of the final table by Gavin Griffin's two pair. In this same event Chris Ferguson was also playing like a favorite until Travis Rice knocked "Jesus" out in 13th place. Unfortunately for Chris, he couldn't conjure up any miracles to save his day.  Event 14 went late into the night when the remaining players decided to vote about whether to continue play, or simply call it a night and head to bed. There were some contentious moments after the final vote count. Despite the fact that the vote was heavily in favor of going back to the place where their mattresses and room service menus were, the vote was not unanimous. A minor verbal scuffle broke out over the issue and the vote began to resemble the 2000 United States Presidential elections. At least nobody broke out the phone number for Al Gore's lawyer.  In the end they decided that as long as one person was willing to play, they all had to play. Apparently someone who has Red Bull running through their veins believes they can turn this into a contest of endurance. Winning by attrition is not exactly an honorable way to win a bracelet, but maybe these guys will take their victories in any manner they can.