GOING ALL IN: News and notes from the World Series of Poker |
Aug. 29 | 1 a.m. ET
It looks like all the hand-wringing over the warrant for the arrest of David "Chino" Rheem was all for naught.
According to gambling911.com, the Hollywood, Fla., police department will not stop Rheem from playing at the final table of the World Series of Poker's main event on Nov. 9.
As the trespassing offense Rheem is wanted on is only a misdemeanor, it would not lead police to arrest him during the tournament.
"There would be no reason for Florida to extradite David on this offense," the Web site, quoting a "Lt. Marino" of the Hollywood Police Department, reported.
According to the story (you can read it here), Rheem will likely be sent a ticket and have to pay a fine. Assuming he hasn't already taken care of it.
Meanwhile, Rheem has stayed quite busy, playing in a tournament in Macau, and scheduled to compete at World Series of Poker Europe.
Apparently, gambling is in his blood.
July 18 | 4 a.m. ET
One of the criticisms of the four-month layoff between the bulk of the World Series' main event and the final table was the possibility that one of the players could not attend the November action for one reason or another.
What if someone died or was seriously injured during the waiting period? While the scenario seemed unlikely, there is a very real possiblity it could happen to one of the nine players to outlast more than 6,800 players this July.
According to a story in the Florida Sun-Sentinel (click here to read it), finalist David "Chino" Rheem has a warrant out for his arrest.
Rheem, who cut his teeth playing at the same Florida casino where well-known pro Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi honed his game, is wanted for failing to appear in court in 2003 on a misdemeanor trespassing charge in Hollywood, Fla. The warrant is active, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
What complicates matters is that Rheem has a previous criminal record. Eight years ago, according to the newspaper, Rheem was "convicted of dealing in stolen property and burglary, both felonies, as well as larceny and possession of marijuana." He received a four-month jail sentence and 30 months probation.
So Rheem faces a tough decision.
- He can deal with the matter now, and hope the legal process does not keep him from the final table (i.e., put him in jail) ...
- ... or he can just show up at the Rio in November, take a shot at the $9 million grand prize, and hope the authorities don't consider him a big enough fish to chase all the way to Las Vegas.
Imagine the embarrassment to the WSOP, having one of their players arrested in the middle of the game. It certainly seems unlikely to happen over a misdemeanor, but you never know.
Seth Palansky, communications director of the WSOP, shrugged it off in an interview with the Sun-Sentinel.
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"It's basically the odds of society. Not an unusual circumstance," he said. "There's baseball, football players who do break the law, do their time, then return to the field. [Rheem] has the same constitutional right as anyone else."
A Duck goes for a ride, a NASCAR driver takes flight, some bankers take to boxing, and much more.
Stay tuned.
Some good clicks ...
- Tiffany Michelle is embroiled in a sponsorship fiasco. (Gambling911.com)
- Dennis Phillips, Ivan Demidov early co-favorites to win main event at 4-1. (Onlinebettingguide.co.uk)
- ESPN has the WSOP, so Fox Sports Net signs on with the WPT (Pokernews.com)
- Washington congressman wants to fund Social Security with Internet gambling. (Cardplayer.com)
July 15 | 4 a.m. ET
ESPN loses it's golden girl
It's a good thing ESPN will have four months to build up the hype for the final table of the main event, because it's going to need it.
Nothing against the last contestants remaining, as we're sure they're all fine and deserving players. But without any big-name players, the executives over at the world wide leader had to be banking on Tiffany Michelle becoming the first woman to make the final table since hall of famer Barbara Enright in 1995.
But alas it was not to be, as Michelle ran out of steam on Monday and was eliminated in 17th place. It was still the best finish by a woman since Annie Duke took 10th while eight months pregnant in 2000, and perhaps the most impressive run ever by a woman, considering the size of the field.
There was plenty of lamenting of Michelle's ousting around the Internet on Monday, including places like here, and here.
Even Daniel Negreanu, who as you may have heard travels extensively in poker circles, admits he knows little about the remaining players.
Luckily, four months is plenty of time to get to know them.
No flash in the pan
Hevad Kahn brought a mix of amusement (a little) and cringes (alot) for his antics on the way to the final table last summer.
But despite his apparent craziness, he is actually a very solid, almost careful player. He proved it again this year, reaching deeper into the main event than any of the other finalists from 2007, finishing 240th.
Over the last two main events, Kahn has outlasted 12,974 players, more than anyone else. Pretty impressive.
Some good clicks ...
- Who really runs the World Series? (PokeronTV)
- Canadians rule! (The Canadian Press)
- How many marshmallows can you stuff into your mouth? (WorldPokerTour.com)
- Jennifer Harman doesn't need staking in the Big Game (Pokernews.com)
- Discuss Story On Newsvine
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