2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit Season Six Official Report Event #10

2009-2010 World Series of Poker Circuit Season Six
Horseshoe Casino (Chicago) Hammond, IN

WSOP Circuit (October 16-25, 2009)
Event #10
H.O.R.S.E.
Buy-In:  $500 (+55)
Total Entries:  119
Total Prize Pool:  $52,515
October 21-22, 2009

Official Report

Event #10 Headlines

1.Poker Pro Eric Crain Wins H.O.R.S.E. Event at Chicago’s WSOP Circuit

2.Crain Wins His Second WSOP Gold Ring – Previous Win Was Three Years Ago in Tunica

3.Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) Continues to Draw Big Fields – Attendance Up 11 Percent Over Last Year, Through First Ten Events

Event #10 Champion (Eric Crain)

•The 2009 World Series of Poker Circuit champion of Event #10 held at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) is Jeff Eric Crain, from Murphysboro, IL.

•Crain is a 25-year-old professional poker player.

•Crain has been playing professionally for about five years.  He mostly plays online.

•Crain says he travels to approximately four major tournaments a year, including most of the summer in Las Vegas at the WSOP.

•This was Crain’s second WSOP Circuit victory.  He previously won the $300 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event held at the Tunica Grand, in January 2007.  Crain now has five WSOP Circuit cashes, and three final table appearances.  He has also cashed four times at the WSOP in Las Vegas, including a sixth-place finish in the $2,000 buy-on Mixed Games event held earlier this year.

•Crain’s prize money winnings in WSOP-related events total $80,841 in WSO play and $88,537 in WSOP Circuit.

•Crain attended college, but opted to play poker instead.  He once studied journalism.

•For his victory, Crain won $14,703 in prize money, plus the coveted gold ring which is presented to all WSOP Circuit winners.

•Crain’s hometown of Murphysboro is located in southern Illinois, and is within easy driving distance of five WSOP Circuit events to be held this season – including Chicago/Hammond, Tunica, Council Bluffs, Southern Indiana, and St. Louis.

Winner Quotes (Eric Crain)

•On how things are going as a poker pro:  (Laughing) “It depends on which month you ask me.”

•On what winning a WSOP Circuit gold ring means, particularly victory number two:  “It’s neat because when I won my first ring, I obsessed for a while over winning something significant.  I had done well in cash games at that time but had never done anything in tournaments.  So, when I won that event (back in 2007) I did not realize now until three years later how really hard it is to win a major tournament.  Yeah, it’s really nice.”

•On his goals in poker:  “I want to get better at a lot of the H.O.R.S.E. games.  Oddly, I feel I am really weak in a lot of the Stud games.  I have been working with some players who play some high-stakes stud and they taught me a lot.  I was basically doing everything wrong, so that really helped me out.”

•On poker advice for those who might be thinking about poker either professionally or semi-professionally:  “Keep grinding and do not play too ridiculously big.  Try to keep a level head and keep building slowly.”

•On those who helped him improve his game:  “Brad Libson (who finished fifth in this event) really helped me a lot.  In fact, I busted him.  Some others were Brett Ritchie, Tony Rivera, Scott, Tom and a few others – they really helped me a lot with my game.”

•On his plans for the near future:  “I will surely be coming here more in the future.  Plus there is Tunica.  And there is a WSOP Circuit event coming to St. Louis for the first time, which is next spring.  I will be playing more for sure.”

•On whom he is cheering for at this year’s WSOP November Nine, to be played in two weeks:  “I think if Ivey wins he will bring a lot of good things to the game.  Poker will continue to grow if Ivey wins, and I think that will really be good for the sport.  A big name pro winning gives everyone someone to look up to, and that would be a great thing for poker.”

The Final Table / In-the-Money Finishers

•When final table began, the chip leader was Eric Crain.  He maintained his advantage throughout the three-hour finale.  Crain was only seriously threatened when play became heads-up with Mark Dimberg.  At one point, the two players were about even in chips.  But Crain ultimately prevailed.

•There was only one former WSOP Circuit gold ring winner in the final group of eight – Eric Crain.

•The eighth-place finisher was Kevin McClayton.  He received $1,870.

•The seventh-place finisher was Matt Rosen.  He received $2,120.

•The sixth-place finisher was Michael Komarek, from Plainfield, IL.  He received $2,530.

•The fifth-place finisher was Bradley Libson, from Vail, CO.  He is a 27-year-old poker pro.  Libson previously make it to the final table of the Deuce-to-Seven championship at the WSOP.  This time he settled for a fifth-place payout totaling $3,186.

•The fourth-place finisher was Joe Kunst, from Willow Springs, IL.  He is a 55-year-old salesman.  Kunst collected $4,247.

•The third-place finisher was John Klawitter, from Chicago, IL.  He is a dentist.  Klawitter drilled into the prize pool and filled his poker bankroll to the tune of $6,016.

•When heads-up play began, Eric Crain enjoyed a slight chip advantage over Mark Dimberg.  The two players were close in chips at one point, but Crain ultimately prevailed.  The heads-up match lasted about 45 minutes.

•The runner up was Mark Dimberg, from Evanston, IL.  He received $9,089.

•The winner was Eric Crain, who collected $14,703 and his second WSOP Circuit gold ring.

The Tournament

•H.O.R.S.E. is an acronym for the five most popular poker games played inside American cardrooms today.  H.O.R.S.E. tournaments include a rotation of the following games — Hold’em, Omaha High-Low Split, Razz, Seven-Card Stud, and Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split (also called Eight-or-Better).  Many purists consider H.O.R.S.E. to be the ultimate test of poker skill, since it requires that players play all games well in order to win.  This claim was perhaps best illustrated at the 2006 World Series of Poker, where H.O.R.S.E. returned to the tournament schedule after a long hiatus. For more than two decades, the late poker legend Chip Reese had been widely regarded as the best all-around player in the world. Appropriately, he won the inaugural tournament which cost $50,000 to enter and became the first H.O.R.S.E. world champion.  Due in part to the increasing popularity of H.O.R.S.E. at the WSOP in Las Vegas, some WSOP Circuits now include at least one such tournament.

•The rotation of games in this tournament lasts eight hands.  In other words – following eight dealt hands of Hold’em, there are eight hands of Omaha High-Low followed by eight hands of Razz, and so forth.

•This was the tenth tournament of the new WSOP Circuit season and the tenth of 13 events scheduled for this Circuit in Chicago.  This tournament (Event #10) attracted 119 entries.

•This was the largest H.O.R.S.E. tournament ever held in the Chicago region.  Last year’s H.O.R.S.E. tournament had a $300 buy-in, which created a smaller prize pool.  The largest H.O.R.S.E. prize pool in WSOP Circuit history was held in 2006 when the Tunica Grand $3,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. competition had a $145,500 prize pool.

•Through the first ten events of the 2009 WSOP Circuit series at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland), attendance is up 11 percent over last year.  Through the first ten events, the comparisons are as follows:

2008 – 3,198 total entrants
2009 – 3,597 total entrants

•Through the first ten events of the 2009 WSOP Circuit series at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland), prize money is up 10 percent over last year.  Through the first ten events, the comparisons are as follows:

2008 – $1,419,091 in total prize money
2009 – $1,563,142 in total prize money

•The game played was Pot-Limit Omaha with re-buys.  The buy-in was $300 (+45).  The total prize pool amounted to $63,898.  The top 14 finishers collected prize money.

•The tournament began at noon on October 20th and was played over two days.  The entire duration of the tournament lasted about 16 hours.

World Series of Poker Circuits (History)

•The World Series of Poker Circuits began in January 2005.  WSOP Circuits were designed to bring the excitement of the world’s largest and most prestigious poker series to more players and fans in various regions throughout the United States.  Over the past five years, WSOP Circuits have taken place at Harrah’s Entertainment properties in the following locations:

Las Vegas, NV (Caesars Palace, Harrah’s, and Bally’s/Paris)
Lake Tahoe, NV (Harvey’s Lake Tahoe)
San Diego, CA (Rincon)
New Orleans, LA (Harrah’s)
Tunica, MS (Tunica Grand)
Council Bluffs, IA (Harrah’s)
Elizabeth, IN/Louisville, KY (Horseshoe Southern Indiana)
Hammond, IN/Chicago, IL (Horseshoe Casino)
Atlantic City (Caesars, Harrah’s, Showboat)

•This begins WSOP Circuit season number six.  This season officially began on October 16, 2009 at the Horseshoe Casino (Chicago) and will conclude seven months later on May 19, 2010 at Harrah’s New Orleans.  This year, there are 11 WSOP Circuit stops held at the following locations:

Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland)
Horseshoe Southern Indiana
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe
Harrah’s Atlantic City
Tunica Grand
Harrah’s Council Bluffs
Caesars Atlantic City
Harrah’s Rincon
Harrah’s St. Louis (new location)
Caesars Palace Las Vegas
Harrah’s New Orleans

•Only three locations have hosted WSOP Circuits during all six seasons.  They are:

Harrah’s Atlantic City
Harrah’s New Orleans
Harvey’s Lake Tahoe

•WSOP Circuit stops typically include 10-15 tournaments played over a two-week period (some of the more popular events run longer and include as many as 23 events).  Buy-ins range from $200 for the lower tournaments up to $5,000 for championship events.  During the first two years of WSOP Circuits, all championship events had a $10,000 buy-in.  This has been reduced to a $5,000 buy-in since the 2006-2007 season began.

•WSOP Circuits consistently attract large fields and payout impressive prize money.  Here are the ten largest poker events in WSOP Circuit history:

1,412 — Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), Oct. 16-17, 2009 — Event #1
1,345 — Tunica Grand (Mississippi), Jan. 7-8, 2006 – Event #3
1,187 — Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), Oct. 24-25, 2008 – Event #1
1,181 – Harrah’s Atlantic City, Dec. 5-6, 2008 – Event #1
1,106 — Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 5-6, 2007 – Event #1
1,056 — Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 5-6, 2008 – Event #1
1,050 — Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 7-8, 2008 – Event #3
983 — Caesars Atlantic City, Mar. 6-7, 2009 – Event #3
954 – Caesars Indiana, Oct. 20, 2005 – Event #1
940 — Tunica Grand (Mississippi) Jan. 5-6, 2006 – Event #1

•Winners of WSOP Circuit tournaments receive a gold ring as the token of their achievement.  This prize is patterned after the coveted gold bracelet, which is awarded to all winners of WSOP events in Las Vegas.

•The player who has won the most WSOP Circuit gold rings is Men “the Master” Nguyen, with four victories.  Nguyen also has 12 WSOP Circuit career cashes.

•The player who has won the most WSOP Circuit championship events is Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, with three Main Event victories.  Ferguson won Main Events at Harrah’s Rincon (2005), Harrah’s Las Vegas (2005), and Harvey’s Lake Tahoe (2007).

•The player with the most prize money winnings in WSOP Circuit history is Chris “Jesus” Ferguson.  His combined career earnings currently total $1,359,143.  Ferguson has cashed six times.

World Series of Poker Circuit at Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland)

•This is the 51st WSOP Circuit tournament series played since January 2005.

•What is now the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) originally opened up as the Empress Casino, back in 1993.  The casino has since been sold twice and has undergone both expansion and renovation.  It is now the largest casino (measured by number of tables and gaming devices) in the greater Chicago area.  The current Horseshoe Casino configuration has more than 100 live table games, 3,200 electronic gaming devices, and a 34-table poker room, making it one of the largest casinos in the Midwest.

•Poker pioneer Jack Binion bought and took over the Empress Casino in 2001.  He renamed the property as the “Horseshoe Casino.”  It became officially known as “Horseshoe Hammond,” since it is actually located in Hammond, IN.  Harrah’s Entertainment purchased the casino from Binion in 2004, and retained the name.  However, in an effort to align itself with the Chicago area, the casino is now known as the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland).

•The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) underwent a $500 million renovation, which was completed last year.  On August 8, 2008 (8-8-08) entertainment diva Bette Midler hosted and performed at the grand re-opening.

•The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) is the closest gaming facility in proximity to downtown Chicago, which is just 16 miles away.  In fact, the downtown skyline can be seen from many parts of the casino, which is located along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

•A large marina is adjacent to the casino, which holds many water craft.  The casino is a popular destination for boats which come to the resort from all over the region, especially during summer months.

•The casino is located less than a mile from the Indiana-Illinois border.  The closest major airport is Midway, on Chicago’s south side.  Chicago’s O’Hare Airport is about an hour away.  The casino offers shuttle service to many parts of Chicago and the region.

•The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) draws visitors predominately from the Chicago area.  However, the WSOP Circuit attracts many players from all over Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio.

•This marks the second year that the Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) has hosted a WSOP Circuit stop.  Last year’s field came close to setting attendance records.  A big turnout is also expected this year, and the first event of the new 2009-2010 season did not disappoint.  The Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland) has now hosted two of the three largest WSOP Circuit tournaments in history.

•The Horseshoe Casino poker room regularly holds 34 tables.  However, the WSOP Circuit took over the special events center called “The Venue.”  This additional floor space holds 78 more poker tables.  This means the Horseshoe Casino holds up to 112 poker tables combined, making it the largest capacity facility of any WSOP Circuit event.

•“The Venue” is regularly used for shows and attracts many of the biggest names in music and entertainment.  The Venue holds up to 3,000 people.  But most of the theatre seating was moved aside for nearly two weeks in favor of poker tables, all packed with players.

•This is one of two major poker tournaments held annually at the Horseshoe Casino.  In addition to the WSOP Circuit, the casino will be hosting the “Chicago Poker Classic,” to be held February 26 through March 7, 2010.  This tournament is expected to offer nine major events, plus several second chance tournaments.  Attractions include $350,000 in added prize money, plus a brand new Porsche Cayman luxury car as the grand prize.  A complete schedule of the 2010 Chicago Poker Classic will be forwarded to media at the completion of this year’s WSOP Circuit events.

Errors and Omissions (Previous Reports) –

TWO CORRECTIONS:

1.WSOP Circuit – Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland); Event #2; October 17-18, 2009; 8th place finisher was MARK S. SMITH, a.k.a. “Pegasus,” from Georgetown, KY (Note that Mark Smith, Lafayette, LA is incorrectly credited by some websites).

2.WSOP Circuit – Horseshoe Casino (Chicagoland); Event #8; October 20-21, 2009; 4th place finisher was JOE MAGIERA (Note that the EXCEL sheet had his name incorrectly listed as MAGLIERA – wrong).

Note:  All results are official and may be reprinted by media.
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For further information about the Horseshoe Casino Poker Room and related events, contact Jason Newman, Poker Room Manager at: jnewman1@horseshoe.com or call (219) 473-5963.  For information about the Horseshoe Casino (Chicago), contact Leah Eisenstein at: leah@expagency.com or call (312) 239-2339.

For official news and the latest updates from the 2009 World Series of Poker and the WSOP Circuits, visit:  www.worldseriesofpoker.com

For statistics and historical information from the 2009 World Series of Poker and the WSOP Circuits, contact Nolan Dalla at:  nolandalla@aol.com or nolandalla@gmail.com

For official photographs from the 2009 World Series of Poker and WSOP Circuits, visit:  http://pa.photoshelter.com/user/impdi   For specific media photo requests, email image22@aol.com and list “Urgent Media Request” as the subject line.  Note:  All photos must be credited as follows:  “IMPDI 2009”

HORSESHOE CASINO (CHICAGO)

Horseshoe Casino Senior Vice President and General Manager:  Dan Nita
Director of Table Games:  Jose Lebron
Poker Room Manager:  Jason Newman
Special Events Manager:  Amie Hill
Tournament Director:  Charlie Ciresi
Co-Tournament Director:  Steve Frezer

WORLD SERIES OF POKER

World Series of Poker President and Commissioner – Jeffrey Pollack
WSOP Vice President — Ty Stewart
Director of Communications – Seth Palansky
Regional Vice President of Specialty Gaming — Howard Greenbaum
WSOP Events Manager — Angele Marshall
WSOP Marketing Manager – Elizabeth Anne Hill
WSOP Tournament Director – Jack Effel
WSOP Media Director – Nolan Dalla

ABOUT WORLD SERIES OF POKER

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest, richest and most prestigious gaming event in the world awarding millions of dollars in prize money and the prestigious gold bracelet, globally recognized as the sport’s top prize.  Featuring a comprehensive slate of tournaments in every major poker variation, the WSOP is poker’s longest running tournament in the world, dating back to 1970.  In 2009, the event attracted 60,875 entrants from 115 different countries to the Rio in Las Vegas and awarded over $174 million in prize money.  The creation of the new delayed Main Event final table more than doubled ratings on ESPN year-over-year.  In December, 2008 the WSOP was named the 7th most admired sports brand in North America by the Turnkey Team Brand Index trailing only the more established NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, NASCAR and PGA Tour among sports properties.  In addition, the WSOP has formed groundbreaking alliances in broadcasting, digital media and corporate sponsorships, while successfully expanding the brand internationally with the advent in 2007 of the World Series of Poker Europe.  For more information on the World Series of Poker, please visit our website at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

ABOUT HORSESHOE CASINO

The all-new 500 million-dollar Horseshoe Casino, a Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. property, just 20 minutes from downtown Chicago is the premier entertainment and gaming destination in Chicagoland.  Where legendary gaming lives on, Horseshoe boasts more than 350,000 square feet with 3,200 slot machines, nearly 100 table games, the largest poker room in the Midwest, keno and more.  The Venue at Horseshoe Casino is proud to offer the ultimate concert and entertainment destination.  In conjunction with AEG Live and created by the award-winning designers of Sceno Plus, The Venue offers a premier experience in a flexible space that can hold up to 4,000 guests.  Dining elegance is not overlooked and guests can choose from a variety of dining options including; Jack Binion’s Steak House which overlooks Lake Michigan and recent winner of the 2009 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, around-the-globe variety at the Village Square Buffet, a taste of Chicago at Benny’s Home Cookin’, and scrumptious fare at J.B.s Gourmet Sandwiches and Salads. For more information, please visit: www.chicagohorseshoe.com.

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