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

Over 29,000 players came to Las Vegas from 40 differentcountries all over the earth to play in the 2005 World Series ofPoker tournament events. This generated a total net prize poolof over $103,000,000 dollars, more than twice the total prizepool amount in 2004. New records were being made and old onesbeing broken so fast the challenge was to keep up with them all.Here is a "complete report" of what went on at this years WorldSeries of Poker. It is complete because it covers tournamentevents #1 to #45.

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.

Event #23 "Seven Card Stud" had a happy Jan Sorensen fromDenmark ready to take home $293,275 and a bracelet for winningthis tournament. Event #24 "No Limit Hold'Em" was won by thevery serious, solid playing Farzad Bonyadi who earned $594,960for the effort. In Event #25 "Pot-Limit Hold'Em", Johnny Chanwon his 10th WSOP bracelet breaking a 3-way tie with him, DoyleBrunson and Phil Hellmuth Jr., setting a record in the process.Johnny picked up a hefty $303,025 as well. Actress JenniferTilly turned heads again by winning Event #26 "Ladies No-LimitHold'Em". She actually dominated final table play against topwomen players in the world to win $158,335 and a braceletyou can't buy in a store anywhere. Expect no less from thegirlfriend of Phil "Unabomber" Laak. Phil Ivey overcame adetermined Robert Williamson III to win Event #27 "Pot LimitOmaha with Rebuys" earning his 5th gold WSOP bracelet and$630,685. Dan Schmiech won $404,585 by winning against actorGabe Kaplan in the Event #28 "Limit Hold'em" tournament. Event#29 "No Limit Hold'Em" has Lawrence Gosney as this yearschampion pocketing $483,195 for the win. Now Event #30 "SevenCard Razz" is actually a little tough to understand and play,but O'Neil Longson proved he could do it and took home $125,690as proof.

The 3-way tie Johnny Chan broke earlier became a tie again asDoyle Brunson won the Event #31 "No-limit Hold'Em (Short Handed6/table)" tournament earning his 10th WSOP bracelet and $367,800once again showing how his legendary reputation was earned.Event #32 "Omaha High-Low Split" was won by David Chiu takinghome his 4th bracelet and $347,410. Andre Boyer, a analystfor TV station Le Réseau des Sports in Quebec won Event #33 "NoLimit Hold'Em" who's skill was rewarded with a $682,810 payday.Event #34 "Seniors No Limit Hold'Em" has a new champion who'sname is Paul McKinney. Paul, who is 80 years old, can relax inthe sun after depositing $202,725 in his bank account. Rafi Amitwon Event #35 "Pot Limit Omaha" and $511,835 after becomingvictorious in a heads up battle with Vinny Vinh.

A dominate Todd Witteles won Event #36 "Limit Hold'em" knockingout opponents left and right to take home the bracelet and$347,385. Event #37 "No Limit Hold'Em with Rebuys" was won byJon Heneghan taking home $611,015 in the process. Event #38 wasa super satellite tournament for seats to the Main Event, so noprize pool or list of winners was produced. Event #39 "No Limit2 to 7 Draw Lowball with Rebuys" had David Grey as the championwho was heralded with $365,135. Event #40 was also a supersatellite like #38 so there is nothing to report unfortunately.When it came time for raising money for charity, the media andcelebrities in Event #41 showed up at the tables. Randy Bowmanof the media won $10,000

for the Noblesville Boys and GirlsClub.

Event #42 is the WSOP Main Event, the big tournament wheremillionaires are born. This year the first place prize was$7,500,000 and every person who made the final table became amillionaire guaranteed. 5,619 entrants competed in thetournament making it the largest in WSOP history. In fact it wasso large that it had to be spread out over 9 days. 2004 championGreg Raymer made it up to 25th place before elimination,receiving $304,680 for his efforts. But it was Joseph Hachem whobecame champion for this year, pocketing the $7.5 million and abeautiful diamond bracelet that can only be earned by winningthe Main Event.

For those who were busted out of the Main Event, they foundadditional tournaments for play in Events #43, #44 and #45 whichwere 1 day events. Ron Kirk beat out players like Erik Seideland Marcel Luske to take home $321,520 for winning the Event #43"No Limit Hold'Em" tournament. Event #44 "No Limit Hold'Em" waswon by John Pires who received $220,935 for his victory. And theEvent #45 "No Limit Hold'Em" winner was Willie Tann who happilyreceived his bracelet and $188,335 for 1 day's work! Not bad atall.

With the sheer size of this event and a total number of staffand players that could make up a small city, it is hard to thinkof anything the world could do to surpass it. But Harrah'shas already released the 2006 World Series of TournamentCircuit schedule and it is expanded from 2005's five tournamentsto twelve, so we'll have to wait and see. on TV will keepus all happy until then.

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.