The Monday Morning GRIND Continues

The battle wages on in Event 45 - $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. World Championship. 3 players continue to play even at this hour. This is Day 5 of this grueling event which tests the stamina of even the most seasoned of pros. Within poker's upper echelon "this" event is considered to be the greater measure of "who is the best" as opposed to the Main Event. Currently, Scotty Nguyen enjoys a commanding lead with a 10,085,000 chip stack, then Michael DeMichele with 3,040,000 and finally Erick Lindgren with 1,675,000. I would like to say that we'll be crowning a winner soon, but I'm not that foolish to make such an assertion. None of these men will be going down quietly. Top prize is $1,989,120, with second at $1,243,200, and finally 3rd at $781,440. ALL substantial wins, but there's still the matter of the shiny little trinket and the extreme bragging rights that go along with this event. Also according to "loganmark" of PokerNews.com, Erick Lindgren will take the lead in the Milwaukee's Best Light WSOP Player of the Year standings, as he is currently assured of finishing at least in 3rd place in Event #45. According to his post, although there are still a few POY eligible events yet to be played, it will be very tough for anyone to take it away from Lindgren. Way-to-go "E-Dog!" I've been saying all along that my loyalties were definitely being challenged by this event, because of the fact that both Scotty and Erick were both still in it. I still think it is far from over... and we'll just have to wait and see. Follow along with all the action being reported over at http://www.pokernews.com/live-reporting/2008-world-series-of-poker/event-45-50000-h-o-r-s-e-world-championship/day5/. ***EDIT*** No sooner did I hit "Publish Post" and head back over to check the standings at PokerNews.com and I read that Erick Lindgren has been eliminated by Scotty Nguyen. Scotty now has over 12 million in chips. Go SCOTTY!

Event 48 - $2,000 No Limit Hold'em came to a close over 7 hours ago, when Alexandre Gomes finally bested the field of 2,317. He takes home the WSOP bracelet and a whopping $770,540. Congratulations. And from the sound of it Gomes and his fellow Brasilians are probably still celebrating!

Event 49 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em continues on at this hour as well. The field has been narrowed from its 2,718 initial entrants to a final 10, but its going to require one more casualty before the players get to call it a night. It could still be a while, as there has been little action for the last several hands, in which there have been very few flops even seen. Hang in there players! For that matter hang in there Pojo and Shamus who continue to provide bleary-eyed coverage.

Event 50 - $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha World Championship Day 1 came to a close a little over 3 hours ago with the field narrowed down to 87 players, of the original 381 who began. Only the top 36 will get paid in this one. Currently Josh Arieh enjoys the chip lead at 368,000, which is 151,000 more than his closest competitor. Day 2 will begin later today.

Event 51 - $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. narrowed its huge field of 803 players down to just 192 in a single day. Top prize will be $256,412 for this event. A number of familiar faces still remain in this event. which will get back underway later today.

Event 52 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em is the only event on tap to begin today. Then, tomorrow only one event is slated Event 53 - $1,500 Limit Hold'em Shootout. To be followed-up by the Grandaddy Event 54 which is the epic 39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event which will begin its 1st of 4 Day 1's on Thursday. Stay tuned!

Time to get some work done...

Regards,

cheer_dad