On Monday, over 3,000 players flooded the registration tables at the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event for Day 1D. When the total number of entrants reached 2,800, WSOP officials shut off further $10,000 buy-ins, effectively locking out 500 players from poker’s most prestigious tournament. Among those on the outside looking in was Durrrr Challenge participant Patrik Antonius.
Tom Dwan’s opponent wasn’t the only big name left on the rails wondering what would have been in the 2009 WSOP Main Event. Joining him were Poker Hall of Fame member T.J. Cloutier and Full Tilt Poker pro Ted Forrest. Together, Cloutier and Forrest own not one, not two, not three, but 11 WSOP bracelets. Also left out in the cold was World Poker Association (WPA) board member “Captain” Tom Franklin, who joined up with World Poker Tour (WPT) Host Mike Sexton to speak on behalf of players.
Sexton had played on Day 1A and comfortably moved on to Day 2A of the 2009 WSOP. However, he lent his name and tournament expertise to the cause, although it was ultimately unsuccessful. Everything from playing with 10-handed tables to holding a special late-night Day 1E was discussed in order to accommodate the 500 players who failed to register early. However, no plan was adopted, as WSOP officials focused on being fair to those who had already played their way to Day 2.
At the time of writing, which is late afternoon Eastern Time on Wednesday, July 8th, Dwan is actively battling in Day 2B and has a stack of 43,000, about the same total as Antonius’ wife, Maya Geller. Together, Dwan and Antonius have a grand total of zero in the money finishes during the 2009 tournament series. Now, it’s all up to Dwan to buck that trend in poker’s most prestigious event.
