WELCOME BACK GABE

Albertville Alabama's Gabe Costner continues his hot run with a first place in the IP's Main Event.  Gabe finished 5th recently at a WPT final table that included Hoyt Corkins and Freddie Deeb for his biggest cash but topping the IP's field is his first main event first place finish.   He actually looks nothing like the picture of Gabe Kaplan other than his 70s stache (well if he had a stache we are sure it  would be a 70s fat one... but actually they both only share a fro... okay... they look nothing alike... Gabe has no fro, no stache, nor any connection to a sweathog). 

EDITED:  Okay, now we have a real picture of Gabe here...  No need for the Welcome Back Kotter references anymore...

It was a special two weeks for Gabe as his girlfriend Claudia Crawford took the first event at the IP and final tabled the main event with him.  Gabe's live tournament earnings are now getting near 200k.

 Local Player hits the Bad Beat Jackpot at Harrah's

Hailing from "Parts Unknown", local cash game player Joe Bush get his quad 5's snapped by a bigger 4 of a kind to win the sweet end of the Bad Beat Jackpot at Harrah's in New Orleans. Joe's take from the score came out to be about $6000.00 before taxes. Both players flopped sets with Joe turning Quads, and his opponent rivered his Quads. They got it all in after the turn so there was some excitement going into the river...and "BAM!!!"...there is was. We here at gulfcoastpoker.net are on a mission to puplish a picture of Joe and expose him to the real world. He can't fly below radar forever.

GCP.NET QUICK EDITORIAL:  

SHOW ONE... SHOW ONE... COMMON SENSE TAKES HOLD AT SHOWDOWN

Harrahs has reversed fields, partly at the recommendation of the TDA (Tournament Directors Association), partly from the public and private campaigning by players such as Daniel Negreanu, and mostly just poker common sense taking hold.  The "show one, show all" only recently was expanded to the point that it was actually two rules. Originally...  editorial continued here.

Tim "Ragin Cajun" Hebert Snaps Off the Main Event of the Beau's Spring Break Poker Classic

Lafayette Poker pro Tim "Ragin Cajun" Hebert follows up his 1st place finish in last years 2007 Circuit Event at Harrah's in New Orleans with a 1st place in the Spring Break Poker Classic that concluded at the Beau Rivage on Sunday. I am sure he will be hanging around on the coast for the 2nd leg of the "Gulf Coast Poker Series" going on as the IP kicks off their Poker Classic tomorrow. You can see all of the other winners who cashed here in the official release from the Beau...

MAIN EVENT RESULTS

The Bayou Poker Challenge returns to Harrah's in New Orleans

On the heels of the Poker Marathon going on on the Coast of Mississippi right now comes the World Series of Poker Circuit event in New Orleans in mid-May at Harrahs. There was some speculation on whether this event was going to be a "Circuit Event" or not, but I guess the latest press release confirms that this tournament will, in fact, be a circuit event. This years schedule will include 15 major tournaments, and will end the series with a $5000.00 3 day Main event starting on Monday, may 19th.. You can see the official media notice here. MEDIA NOTICE FLYER

IP POKER CLASSIC RETURNS TO THE COAST AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL

That's right Folks, Ronnie and crew will be giving us another dose of  Poker in early April at the IP in Biloxi. The tournaments will be a mix of Limit and No-Limit Hold-Em along with an Omaha Hi-Lo Split. There are several guaranteed payouts also.

There are a couple of $340.00 buy ins with a guaranteed payout of  75K, and a $550.00 buy-in with 100K guaranteed. One top of all that it looks like most of the 6pm $230.00 2nd Chance tournaments also will have guarantees with some for 10K and a couple with 15K. You can download the official flyer from the IP at the link to the right. 2008-2Q IP POKER CLASSIC

YOUR ONLINE WAY TO THE 2008 WSOP

Are you an online player trying to get to the WSOP Main Event? There are numerous ways to get from several online sites, and just like the past 2 years, FullTilt has again said that if you qualify to the Main Event on FTP and win the Main Event, you can add another $10,000,000...Ten Million...$10,000K ...$10,000 Large...(you get the hint) to your bank account. Card Player's Bob Pajich gives all the scoop on all the different ways to get there: 

ONLINE QUALIFIER BREAKDOWN

BEAU RIVAGE ANNOUNCES THEIR SPRING BREAK POKER CLASSIC

Looks like March will bring another poker tournament to the Gulf Coast at the Beau Rivage. The tournament is a mix of five $300.00 tournaments with four $500.00 tournaments. The exception is the Main Event which will be a $2000.00 buy-in. All events will be 2 (two) day affairs. There will also be a Mega Satellite that will be held on March 30th for a $10,000 buy-in seat. The Mega will be a 1 day event. You can download the official flyer here...SPRING BREAK CLASSIC

MITCH MERRIT OF PONDER, TEXAS CONTINUES HIS HOT STREAK WITH A CASH IN ATLANTIC CITY

That's 12 cashes since January 07, including results in New Orleans, Tunica, the World Series, and the Oklahoma State Championship.  Merrit didn't light his trademark cigar for this one, as he barely cashed in a huge field but it demonstrates his consistent play during his year-long heater. 

TUSCALOOSA'S SHANNON SHORR ROLLS TO A 50K SCORE

The pride of the Crimson Tide, Shannon Shorr, took 3rd place in the FTP $1000 Monday Tournament.  Shorr finished 4th in Card Player's 2006 player of the year standings and continues to make headway as rising pro.  In his blog, he said he celebrated with a Captain and Coke.  One of many decisions he got right on Monday.

Shannon's homepage:  http://shannonshorr.com/

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?      WIN... 

NBC HEADS-UP CHALLENGE    

--PENSACOLA'S JONATHAN LITTLE TAKES HOME 75K AFTER BEATING ROUNDERS GOAT ERIC SEIDEL, SWEATHOG GABE KAPLAN AND FALLING TO EVENTUAL CHAMPION CHRIS JESUS FERGUSON

 Final  Filled in Bracket here: 2008 NBC Heads-up Bracket [Updated]. 

Ferguson won the WSOP Main Event in 2000, and he was a bright spot for the 00 champions.  01 champion and the tourney's biggest snub, Carlos Mortenson despite winning the WPT crown this year was watching from home.   02 winner Robert Varkoni also was not invited, 03 champion Chris' Moneymaker was slightly less impressive than 07 Jerry's Yang, who lost in the next round.  04 Greg Raymer went 2-1 for 75k.  05 Hachem was 0-1.  06 Gold went 1-1.  Combined the seven champions since Ferguson went 4-5 (with one win coming against themselves).  Take Raymer out of the equation and it's 2-4. 

THIS IS THE NEW FACE OF THE WPT?

The answer is... yes.  Antonio "The Magician" Esfandiari embodies the WPT, according to CEO (and friend, Steve Lispcomb) and is now the face for the Tour.  Not since Jerry West became the logo has one player defined a sports league.  Could Steve Lipscomb have picked a better face?  If Shannon Elisabeth wasn't available because of Dancing with the Stars, we'd still say yes.

Please join us for the first annual Oilman’s Invitational Petroleum Texas Hold'em Championships to be held in Lafayette, La.  It's this FRIDAY SO ACT FAST and we'll get you hooked up.  If you are interested in playing or want to sponsor the event please email wildbill@gulfcoastpoker.net or gened@gulfcoastpoker.net.  The organizers have been hosting premier oil and gas events for charity since 2001 and now are coming to Lafayette.  One of the prizes up for grabs is a seat at WSOP event this year.  Entry fees range from $250 for an individual seat to $2500 for a title sponsorship. This years charity recipient will be the Oilfield Helping Hands. For more details on Oilfield Helping Hands please follow the hyperlink on the image below.

KATY TEXAS' DAVID BAKER RECORDS HIS SIXTH CASH IN THIS YEARS LA POKER  CLASSIC

It's a short tournament starting in January and running through the length of February.  And by short tournament, we mean long. The LA Poker Classic has 29 Events.  Baker's cashes adds to the success of other Gulf Coasters like John Sarver of Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2 cashes) and Aaron Been of Gainsville, Florida. 

For more details on the month long tournament check out the Commerce's website Commerce Casino.  By the way, in the Main Event the new face of the WPT joins Jennifer Tilly as one of the chip leaders.   That's good timing.

VIRGE SAYS "SHIP IT" AND SNAPS OFF FIRST PLACE IN STARS HEADS-UP TOURNAMENT

There were no "Blue Lights" to get under, but when the dust settled in the Tournament #77205990 on Stars last night, Virge was a little bit richer. This was a $20+2 heads-up tournament with a max of 220 people. I am not sure how many heads-up matches that is...I think 8 maybe. Of course Virge is known as "AustinHokie" on Stars. What's next? Is he on the "Virge" of snapping off an FTOPS event? Tune back into www.gulfcoastpoker.net to find out, and don't forget about Virge's blog bottom right. You can view the tournament lobby here...TOURNAMENT LOBBY

He's also the local Video Professor:

No, you won't learn how to operate windows, turn on your computer, or search the Internet, but Virge has put up a number of videos on his blog detailing his online play.   It's always great to get into somebody else's head to see their decision making process.  We've gotten a lot out of watching them and suggest you take a peek too.  The Lonely Road.  He calls himself Virge, but we think of it as Verge as on the verge of great things.  Enjoy.

GCP dogs and their friends are asking for a ride to Florida, preferably with the window open and their heads out, for a chance to get a piece of the winnings.  

Unfortunately, for our dogs, and those models in the Dogs Playing Poker paintings it turns out the kennel club is actually a gambler's paradise.  It's all about dog racing, simulcast, and wagering of all sorts.  Florida readers will be familiar with their daily tournaments, and no doubt will be headed south to get a piece of the action.

PB Kennel Club

DAROCK OF ACES DROPS ONTO GULFCOAST POKER.NET

Well known local dealer and tournament player Darrell, DaRock of Aces, Guillory has joined Team GCP.  Check out his new blog as he brings views from both sides of the felt. 

Darrell made a stellar run thru the Imperial Palace Poker Classic last November. He cashed in 3 of the preliminary tournaments including a 2nd place finish for $4100.00. He then won a Satellite into the Main Event. He cashed again taking down 12th for $3600. Most of you will recognize him as a dealer at Harrah's, and he has also dealt more than one T.V. final table.

DAROCK OF ACES HAS ARRIVED...

GCP WELCOMES DARRELL "DaRock" GUILLORY TO OUR BLOG TEAM

UPDATED:  COMPLETE DEAD MONEY FINAL TABLE REVIEW 1/29/08

The 2008 Dead Money Champion Has Been Crowned.

 "Philly Tom" Cahill outlasted last years champion Ross "Allin" Wallin in heads up play.  Battling back from a pretty big chip deficit Cahill took the lead and never looked back.  He will be representing the Dead Money Club at this years Main Event.  Also, he's starting a blog he'll update periodically chronicling his journey to the WSOP this year.  The Dead Money Tournament page is HERE.

As he did a great job on his first post covering the big hands of the tournament check out his thoughts HERE to read how the final table went down. Wild Bill's coverage of the last chance table is HERE.  Also check out some video of the tournament on GeneD's blog HERE.

WSOP 2008  MAIN EVENT SCHEDULE RELEASED

Harrah's has announced this years WSOP Schedule includes an astounding EIGHT $10,000 events.  For the first time, it starts and concludes with a 10 large event. Read the official  announcement and peruse the schedule at your leisure as you decide which 10k events to play.  Also tell us where your tree that grows money is and we'll join you there.

There's No P in the "oker Room" Let's Keep It That Way!

 Houma's Pool and Spa "King" Robert Dinger won the second Houma satellite to qualify for the Dead Money Final Table. 

Married to a 9 of anything , which is better than most us can say, Dinger rode steady play and a willingness to mix it up to victory.  Congrats to him.  He bested "Action" Cliff in heads up play and got by "Steady Play" Parfait in three way action.  For clarification, it was three way poker action. Houma DM Satellite II

ACCOUNT SALES IN THE NEW BOILER ROOM

Read how the practice of account selling has got several people in hot water. Chris Vaughn and Sorel 'Imper1um' Mizzi Speak out after being exposed.  Sorel pictured on left, took down the tournament and explains away the cheating as simply as his need to feed his Action Jones.  I feed my Action Jones broccoli and when he's good crawfish bisque.  Sorel declined to comment on whether his Action Jones was mightier than Action Jackson.  Carl Weathers could not be reached for comment, though he was spotted in red, white, and blue shorts recently and repeatedly on TBS.

Read the first interview,  the second interview,  and Chris Vaughn getting fired from Bluff Magazine here.

POKER MOURNS THE LOSS OF CHIP REESE

photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Official Press release from Harrah's Entertainment concerning Chip Reese's recent passing.

Team GCP mourns the passing of the three time bracelet winner, and pro's pro.  The most revealing stat about Reese is the near consensus opinion by his peers that he was the best cash game player in the world.  He also proved his tournament cred by winning the inaugural HORSE 50k buy-in at the World Series in one of the most loaded final tables ever.  A big game stalwart, a sports gambler that won, and player's player Chip will be missed by all that knew him and most that knew of him.

Annie Duke's Testimony for the Judiciary Hearing: HERE. 

Read Annie'e testimony here on gulfcoastpoker.net. This is probably the most in-depth and thought out comment's that could be made about this issue. Her points are well thought out, and it is a great piece of work we can all be proud of. THANKS ANNIE!!!

Read the latest newsletter from FullTilt's Howard Lederer talking about playing without sunglasses and Ipods HERE

"Poker is a game of information. You give information to your opponents, and they give information to you. Most of that information is in the form of betting patterns, which is why online poker is such a great form of the game. All of the betting information is right there for you to use while playing a hand. But when you play live, there is a small amount of additional information that is given off through physical tells and audio cues.

Congrats to David Spicer GCP's man at the 7 Clans  Tournament ...

"So "I met up with you at the Acadiana Series of Poker, got a look at your website, and saw the 7 Clans Mega Satellite.  I read the little description that said how cool it was that the mega satellite tournament wins you $1070 and free entry into other tournaments.  I figured if I hit that, how cool would it be to play 5 or 6 tournaments in one week and get some serious tournament experience. So I entered and played Sunday."

Who is David Spicer? How did he win the Mega?  We will track his play and his thoughts on all the tournaments this week, Monday, Tuesday, and his Wednesday/Thursday  as part of our coverage of the 7 Clans tournament.    LATEST: DAVID MADE IT THROUGH THE FIRST DAY OF THE MAIN EVENT.  WILD BILL TOOK 8th in THURSDAY'S EVENT.  MORE DETAILS TO COME.

Coushatta Resort