It seems like only three months ago that I was complaining about the World Series of Poker -- specifically, about how the "championship" title goes to the jerk who wins the final no-limit hold 'em tourney, disregarding all the other forms of poker.
Well, apparently ESPN has heard my cries, and has been airing all kinds of other events, including pot-limit Omaha, 7-stud, draw lowball, and even razz (that's low-only 7-card stud to you).
As if that wasn't enough -- and it isn't -- ESPN also updates viewers on the WSOP leaderboard, which ranks players based on how many events they've placed in. That gives some credit to the real tournament champion -- the player who wins the most money or the most events. (Sadly, last year that player was Phil Hellmuth, the youngest and whiniest player to ever win the main event. Seriously, watching him lose is hilarious.)
Thanks, The Ocho. Next, get that leaderboard on your webpage! And how about live coverage? Sure, it's boring as hell to anyone who isn't really into poker, but at this point a lot of people are. Well, I'd watch it, anyway...
UPDATE!!!
Poker Douche Phil Hellmuth's page includes a helpful leaderboard that shows Howard "The Professor" Lederer at the top. Best of all, Hellmuth places at about 150th! HA.
I don't like Phil Hellmuth any more than you do, but the mid-tournament fight he had with Sam Grizzle in 2003 was hilarious, both on its own merits and because it made reference to some 2002 fight that they actually took outside - and evidently the even-more-obnoxious Grizzle beat the crap out of Hellmuth.
Then again, I don't much like Lederer, either. Kind of dull to watch. My current favorite is that guy Mihn the Master, if only because he drinks beer while playing (and lots of it, if the empties are any indicator) and managed to spit up beer all over the final table of this year's seven-card stud tourney.
I saw that, and it was hilarious. Also his trash talk was magnifique. And poker, like any game or sport, is 80% trash talk.
I like Howard Lederer. He seems like an okay guy, and everybody always roots for his sister.
In a related story...
Poker with Dick Cheney