Subject: 2002 WSOP By Matt S.
From: mattsana@aol.com (Mattsana)
Newsgroups: rec.gambling.poker
Date: Sat, Jun 1, 2002 1:42 AM
Message-ID: <20020601044230.01673.00002240@mb-fc.aol.com>

I have debated writing my trip report only because I did not want to forget
anyone that made the time I spent in Vegas such a special time for me and my
family. I have to admit, when Tom McEvoy first contacted me to work the WSOP as
the Co-Director. First, I am very greatful that the owner of Lucky Chances did
not hold me back from exploring this opportunity but gave me the leave of
absense and supported my decision. I was a bit skeptical due to the things I
had heard about Binions. Let me repeat Becky and Benny delivered  on everything
that was promised to me and I have no regrets on taking the job. I respect
everyones opinions even if I do not agree with them all.
Now on to the tournaments, I met so many great people last month that I could
not possibly recognize them all but let me start by thanking my co workers
Steve Morrow, Brian Dziminski, George Fisher, Sandra Green, and Tex Whitson all
of whom I had never actually met let alone worked with. I have had a working
relationship with David Lamb on the TDA and was comfortable with having Jody
Ivener be my assistant. I also want to thank the single table satellite crew of
Mark and Angie, Melody and Billy, and Linda Williams who woked as hard as
anyone.

 35 tournaments over 36 days seemed like an impossible task before it started
and I am still convinced that was a few too many events but it definately gave
everyone a chance to find their game of choice. My first goal was to eliminate
player and Dealer abuse in the tournaments and looking back I think that goal
was accomplished, we only gave out three abuse penalties for the entire
schedule. Second I wanted to make sure the tournaments started on time which
was accomplished each and every day with the help of the Great Brit's clock
which I intructed him to start the breaks and tournaments automatically. It was
kind of fun to watch WCP's running to the tables to make sure their hands were
not killed. Billy Gazes kept my life interesting with his daily questions. If
you don't know Billy he is one of the "up and coming stars in poker". It
started of with a employee's tournament won by David Warga who in true dealer
fashion agreed to skip one round to speed things up. Then a WSOP dealer beat
David Chui (Class act) to take home the $2000 Limit hold'em and $407,000, he
quit that day by the way. Next came RGP'er Perry Friedman's day to shine and
won his first bracelet. Then it was the beginning of an awsome display of
No-Limit by Layne Flack and sorry Russ, I was there and he played great coming
from short stacks to win the $2,000 No-Limit. I then watched Randy Holland and
Miami John (Go Noles) finish one two in the Limit Omaha high event. 
Phil Ivey deserves his own paragraph, an awsome display of talent took place at
this years' WSOP Not only did he cash in 7 events including the Big One with
three bracelets he was close in at least 5 other events including one
tournament where he went broke to the only othe player in the tournament that
could have broke him, eventual winner Jan Hansen from Denmark. The Gold brcelet
Match play tournament was a good idea but difficult to get together. There was
a random draw with three byes all of which lost in there first matches. The
highlight of the draw was when The name Mel Weiner was drawn and It was the
perfect opportunity for Phil Hellmuth to be drawn to set up the Weiner Vs.
Weiner match and then it happened Phil's name was drawn. Let me say one thing
about Mr. Hellmuth, my opinion of him skyrocketed last month when it was
obvious he was having a very subpar WSOP and I was constantly giving him a hard
time about plummeting on the money list and the "I've got 20% of Phil" Promo,
and the day he showed up three hours late I announced that it is the longest he
had lasted all series.  He took all the ribbing like a man and I respect that,
I was not very happy about the Head shaving at the time because I did not want
to take anything away from Robert, but Phil even handled that well after
obviously putting hi foor in his mouth. Flack made it Back to Back Flack when
he dusted off 527 other players including a star studded final table in which
he flopped Quads over Quads and had German Philipe Marmorstien shaking his
head.
Players received a ton of play in these events and a little too much when we
decided one day to finish out the Limit Hold'em Shootout in one day (Sorry
Daniel) and it went until 7:30am. 
I have to apoligize to Russ G. for not giving any fuel to his fire because the
chips balanced every day and Archie did not make it out of day one. Actually I
think some of what Russ says if helpful as it gets information out and provides
players thoughts of being cautious when playing for big money. 
Special Thanks to Andy Glazer, Tom Sexton, Mike Paulle and Mark Napolitano who
made some incredibly long final tables move a little faster with some good
humor and a special thanks to Ramona ( the internet Girl) for just being there
and keeping us awake during some of the long hours. 
Jennifer Harman is a very competitve young lady and I was happy to see her
break through with a win in the limit hold'em and her good friend Daniel
Negreanu who struggled most of the month but managed a couple of final tables
late with a second place finish to his good friend Mike Matusow who was so
happy with his bracelet win he actually shed some tears but not his hair which
he promised to Robert Varkonyi. I was also happy for class acts Allen
Cunningham in 2-7 and Fred Berger winning Bracelets even though he defeated
another classy individual Chris Fergeson after being down to his last 40k heads
up. Speaking of class how about John Juanda breaking through on the final day
before the big one and defeating the blonde one Paul Phillips. John's first
bracelet and a well deserving one at that. Let's not forget the show Patty
Gallagher the self proclaimed "Bitch" gave Meng La a headache and put Steve
Kaufman in some tough spots and managed a third place finish in the $1,500
limit hold'em behind Steve and eventual winner Meng La. The bracelet match
finnally concluded with Johnny Chan defeating Phil Hellmuth downstairs one day
before the final table of the main event. Oh I don't want to forget the old
Razzo for his insight before I arrived in town  and his constant banter about
the traditions of the WSOP and he made the return of Doyle and Chip front page
news for all in attendance. Also, My strongest supporters were definitely Diego
Cordevez and Melissa Hayden for which I am eternaly greatful. 

The main event was the highlight for me with the most difficult decision I had
for the month happening on Day four of the Big one where I had to kill Russell
Rosenblum's hand when he said fold from the service bar when he could have
eliminated Julian (1.1 Million) Gardner. Russell handled it with class and
later told me it was the right call and said he played better from behind.
Robert Varkonyi was a deserving winner and showed the power of Q-10 three
different times and took home the 2 Million. 

Sorry for rambling but I did cut it short and to all of you that I met, I want
to thank you and hope that I can work for you again in the future. I had a
great time and made friendships that will last a lifetime.

Thanks Again,

Matt Savage