The KickAssPoker 2009 WSOP Edition

It's time to take a brief sabbatical from the usual shenanigans erupting throughout the poker world. The 2009 World Series of Poker has officially launched. It seems like the entire poker community has dropped what they're doing to watch or participate.

No emotional outbursts from Phil Hellmuth.

No boxing matches between Hansen and Jorgensen.

We can't even find a good reason to post a shot of Vanessa Rousso in a bikini.

So, let's shift attention over to the WSOP. Here's a recap of what's been happening in the tournament...


Jack Binion Gets His Due

For those of you who don't know Jack Binion, he's the guy that gave us the WSOP in the first place.


















40 years ago, Binion created the WSOP. Today, it's arguably the juggernaut of professional poker tournaments. As WSOP President, Jeffrey Pollack said yesterday before Binion kicked off Event #4, "Jack, on behalf of everyone here, thank you. Thank you for the World Series of Poker... You wrote the song, Jack. We merely cover it."

Nicely said. Our hats are off.


Lunkin Who?!

One of the big surprises so far is the upset by Vitaly Lunkin during Event #2, a $40K NL holdem tourney. He vaulted past Tom Dwan, Phil Gaffond, Phil Ivey, and Doyle Brunson himself to clinch a $1,800,000 purse. Surely, Lunkin is wondering how he'll spend the cash...

















If you haven't been keeping count, this is the second WSOP bracelet that Lunkin has won. He took one down in 2008.


Daniel Negreanu Goes For A Fifth

Negreanu has been a contender since becoming the world's youngest bracelet winner in WSOP history back in 1998. He's been pushing for a fifth bracelet and hopes this year's tournament does the trick.




















Is it us or does Daniel never take good pictures? Let's try again...

























Nope. It's not us. Daniel's great on the tables, but he's not very photogenic. Still, it's hard not to like the guy, so we're hoping he locks in his fifth bracelet.


It Ain't No Thang

In the "Names That Are Fun To Say" column, Thang Luu sprinted ahead of the pack a few days ago to win a $1,500 Omaha Hi/Lo bracelet.

























It's not a fluke. Luu took that event in 2008 and barely missed winning it in 2007. You might say, it's his Thang.

His total tournament winnings haven't hit the $1,000,000 marker, yet. But, we're keeping an eye on him and think you should, too.


Online Tournaments Still Going Strong

And just in case you think that the WSOP has siphoned all of the action from the online tourneys, Bluff Magazine reports different.

























Even though PokerStars (read our PokerStars review) didn't hit their Sunday Million $1,500,000 guarantee a week ago, they came cranking back this past Sunday. Over 8,700 people entered their Sunday Million, which shot the pool to over $1.7 million.

Obviously, there's still a lot of action online if you're not in Las Vegas for the WSOP.

Another week, another wrap. To recap...

1. The 2009 WSOP has taken the stage (and the spotlight).
2. Vitaly Lunkin left a few poker stars scratching their heads.
3. Daniel Negreanu should never, ever shave his head again. Seriously, did you SEE that picture up there?
4. Thang Luu has a name that's impossible to say without smiling.
5. Bluff Magazine has some very nice covers.

As always, bringing you the poker news that's fit to print.

See you next week...