Michele Lewis

WSOP portraits can be great for moms… but I’ve always enjoyed the bigger picture through my lens or on the web (and no, I’m not claiming to be all that of a photographer). For example, both my mother and my mother-in-law take photos of us kids on vacation but they zoom in so close that a year later we’re like… “Where were we?”  It’s like taking someone’s photo in front of the Eiffle Tower and you end up without an Eiffle Tower in the background.  WTFrick?  What’s the point of lugging a camera around when you could just take your own pictures at home in the kitchen?  Poor moms.

Since I’m not at the WSOP (at the moment) … then head over to BJ Nemeth’s photos on PokerRoad Nation and The Entities Chick Pics.  Both sites are loved by 100% of their friends and rightly so because all of their friends are really, really smart.

Above is one of my favorite pics of Theo Tran in the tank while Shannon Shorr keeps quiet with a set.  I have a whole series of the play but it’s late and I’m tired.  So just go to PokerRoad Nation and WCP.

I never thought I would be watching the 2009 WSOP unfold from thousands of miles away but I am.   There are many things I love about being at home; however, it is sad to watch the series after the time I have invested in media the past few years.  I feel like a Christmas Store owner who worked all year for Christmas but is suddenly forced to close  the week of  Thanksgiving.

Ah, signs of the time.  As much as I wish I were there… the global melt-down, falling stocks, Houston’s energy industry dropping faster than a stolen laptop in front of the police and a massive Hurricane have made some life changes for a lot of people.

Yet, I am not giving up hope that one day soon I will be in media row snapping pics, reporting oh-so-interesting-tidbits of news and doing the running man dance for Pokerati Jen.

Catch some cool WSOP updates here, here, here and here. 

See me in video below.

Despite economic stress, Harrahs isn’t reducing the 2009 WSOP schedule.   Apparently, Jeffrey Pollack or someone at Harrahs couldn’t drive 55 so they have put 57 bracelets up for grabs starting May 27th.  Not too shabby for Phil Ivey should he go all crazy prop betting beeeellions and beeeellions of dollars on whether or not he wins a bracelet.  Although, he may want to shake hands after Event 2 since it’s a…. let me take a deep breath before I type this long description… a NL Hold’em 40K buy-in with a one-time commemorative gold bracelet marking the 40th year anniversary of the tournament.

About that economy issue… it’s highly unlikely banks will be lending players money to play poker this year so opening weekend will kick off with a  ”stimulus special 1k buy-in NL Hold’em tournament.”  Hmmm, my birthday weekend should be busy.     

The WSOP Main Event will duplicate last years final table delay with a new November Nine.  The final table will resume on November 7 – 10, 2009 with ESPN’s special primetime coverage.  So, now what do we call those last nine players?”  The Nine in 09?  The Nine Behind the Original Nine?  The Nine on the 9th in 09?  That one meant… The 9 players  on the 9th day of November of 2009 (yea, Lance Bradley, I know you understood it the first nine). The WSOP Niners?  The WSOP Niners beat all the whiners? Sorry, my meds wore off. I’m going with The WSOP Niners.  Anyway, let’s just hope The WSOP Niners aren’t minors because that would be bad.  Very bad.

By the way… the WSOP will take place at The Rio.  Look out Sao Paulo Cafe… the Entities are coming. 

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There are a few questions in regards to the 2009 WSOP Schedule.  Where when is it and how many events will take place?  Previous World Series of Poker schedules were released in December 2008 and January 2007 so I’m assuming it should be soon????? And why hasn’t Pokerati Dan been talking about this?  I mean, Michaski lives in Las Vegas and has more scoops than 31 flavors.
I have to wonder if Harrahs will reduce bracelet opportunities due to global economic stress or offer up the same amount to the true blue poker pros and players. WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack has always claimed to do what’s best for the players so then 55 bracelets will be up for grabs????  We all know scaling back the events will be bad for Phil Ivey and his bracelet prop bets.  
I doubt they added the Mixed Doubles Event I’ve been requesting.  If they do offer a Mixed Doubles Event… I will feel like Princess Leia begging Obi-Wan Kenobi for help because whatever player I team up with will be “my only hope.” Kenobi may prefer keno.
UPDATE: What about the 2009 WSOP Main Event final table.  Will that be delayed again?  Unless it’s a financial decision I suggest they post a WSOP poll letting the poker players and fans decide.  Although, the disclaimer should state multi-email-accounting is forbidden.