2005 World Series Of Poker -- Mid Tournament Report
By Tom Howze, Sat Dec 10th

The 2005 World Series of started its 36th year bigger andbetter than ever at the RIO! Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas,Nevada. At the mid point of the tournament series, Events #1through #22 have been completed. If you were not fortunateenough to be in Las Vegas for this mega event, here are some ofthe updates, results and highlights for you.

Records were being made from the start as 662 casino employeesentered Event #1 which was the "Casino Employee No-limitHold'Em" tournament. The number broke the record set last year,which was 279 entrants. Andy Nguyen, a dealer fromBinion’s in Las Vegas, won this event earning a payday of$83,390. Things really picked up as Event #2 "No-Limit TexasHold'Em" began with an astounding 2,305 players signing up toplay. For comparison, the 2004 WSOP Main Event had 2,576 playersin it. Allen Cunningham was the recipient of a WSOP goldbracelet and $725,405 for winning this one. Event #3 "Pot-LimitHold'Em" had Thom Werthmann pocketing $369,535 by overcomingtough play from Layne Flack in the heads up match at the finaltable. Another WSOP record was set when 21 year old EricFroehlich became the youngest person to earn a WSOP championshipbracelet by winning Event #4 "Limit Hold'Em" and an additional$361,910 for his efforts. Pat Poels who quit his full time jobto become a professional player won event #5 "Omaha Hi-LowSplit". His paycheck that day was $270,100. Isaac Galazan wonEvent #6 "No-limit Hold'Em" a shootout tournament by defeating adetermined Harry Demetriou and took home $315,125 for becomingchampion.

Event #7 "No-Limit Hold'Em with Rebuys" was won by 24 year oldpoker tournament millionaire Michael Gracz, picking up anadditional $594,460 for the win. But Michael said he would giveup all the winnings just to have the WSOP bracelet, that's howmuch it meant to him. Event #8 "Seven Card Stud" had onlinequalifier Cliff Josephy claim the victory and $192,100. ErikSeidel picked up his 6th WSOP bracelet and $611,795 afterwinning the Event #9 "No-Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Reza Payvarwho saw a marathon 13 hour heads up match to the end, won Event#10 "Limit Hold'Em". Reza, who received $303,610 and a WSOPbracelet, stated he dedicated the win to his father who passedaway last year. Reza missed the 2004 WSOP to be with his fatherwho had cancer. Online qualifier Edward Moncada won Event #11"Pot-Limit Hold'Em" receiving his first WSOP bracelet and$298,070. The winner of Event #12 "Pot Limit Omaha" was JoshArieh who earned his 2nd gold WSOP bracelet along with a$381,600 payday.

In his 58th major tournament win, T.J. Cloutier picked up his6th WSOP bracelet by winning the Event #13 "No Limit Hold'Em"event and pocketing $657,100 in the process. Event #14"Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split" lasted 36 hours, but in the endSteve Hohn picked up his bracelet and $156,985. Steve evenendured a 4 1/2- hour heads up battle with Mike Wattel at thefinal table to capture this tournament victory! Mark Seif wasable to place a desired crown on his resume by winningEvent #15 "Limit Hold'Em Shootout" and $181,330 in his wallet.The champion for the Event #16 "No-Limit Hold'Em Shootout"tournament was Anthony Reategui, proving himself the best of 780players for the title of champion and $269,100. Quinn Do endedup with $265,975 for winning Event #17's "Limit Hold'Em"tournament. Denis Ethier came from behind as the final table'sshort stack to win Event #18 "Seven Card Stud High-Low Split".Denis was rewarded with $160,682 for his effort. And BarryGreenstein became the champion of the Event #19 "Pot LimitOmaha" tournament gaining another $423,405 and a bracelet. Barryin his true humanitarian form dedicated his win to a terminallyill cancer patient named Charlie Tuttle. For Event #20 which was"Pot Limit Hold'Em", Brian Wilson won $370,685 for his effortsat the WSOP.

Todd Brunson, son of Doyle Brunson

was the winner of the Event#21 "Omaha High-Low Split" tournament. Todd won $255,945 andentered World Series of history, as he and his fatherbecame the only father and son to win championship bracelets.And Mark Seif captured his 2nd WSOP bracelet in a week plus$611,145 to boot by winning the Event #22 "No-Limit Hold'Em"tournament.

With an unprecedented number of players participating, it seemsrecords are being broken and WSOP history is being rewrittenalmost daily. Recently the WSOP officials revised their totalprize pool estimate from $60,000,000 to $100,000,000 because theamount of people entering the tournaments has surpassed eventheir highest expectations. When this tournament series becomestelevised, the world will have a lot to watch.

About the author:Tom Howze is a webmaster for 9 sites that relate to 2005 World Series of Poker and World PokerTour events, updates and information.