Poker and Non-Poker Stars Gather In WSOP Main Event 2012
The names of the final entrants for this year’s WSOP Main Event are set to be announced officially before the tournament will begin. Although WSOP Communications Director Seth Palansky already gave a hint of who to expect on the Main Event, everything else is still unofficial unless the tournament have started.
Palansky had hinted that some of the bigger poker celebrities and those outside of the poker world have registered to participate in this year’s WSOP. He also indicated that the last eight of the Main Event winners have all signed up and will all be there for this year’s biggest event. Palansky dropped Pius Heinz’s name to be one of the contestants who will also be defending his title as champion of the WSOP Main Event.
What he meant with the last eight Main Event winners are those who have won the WSOP Main Event since 2004. WSOP Main Event 2004 winner was Greg “Fossilman” Raymer will be joining the tournament with other fellow past winners like 2005 winner Joe Hachem and 2006 winner Jamie Gold. In 2007, it was Jerry Yang ofCaliforniawho bagged the win. Peter Eastgate won himself the title in 2008 and so did Joe Cada of Detriot in 2009. Jonathan Duhamel finished first place in 2010 and of course, last year’s champ was Heinz.
Non-poker celebrities will also be playing in the Main Event, Palansky revealed. This year’s Main Event buy-in is a $10,000 and it’s a no-limitTexashold’em tournament, of also known as this year’s Event #61.Hollywoodactor Kevin Pollock has entered the Main Event and so hasGeorges St.Pierre, top UFC Fighter. NHL Goalie for Vancouver Canucks Roberto Luongo and Australian cricket player Shane Warne also entered the tournament.
In addition to this growing list, Palansky announced that comedian Gabe Kaplan will be playing the Main Event again. He has played in the said event for years. Jennifer Tilly will also grace the event. She’s one of the famous female pros who have won a gold bracelet in the past and at the same time; she’s earned herself equal popularity inHollywoodwith an Oscar nomination attached to her name.
These were so far the only names that Palansky could come up with so far for this year’s roster of players. Some of the big names want to keep it hush until the last few moments of registration.
Some names may also be predictable like Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Chan, Doyle Brunson, Scotty Nguyen, Joh Juanda, Carlos Motensen, Huck Seed, Barry Shulman. Antonio Esfandiari and Daniel Negreanu. Phil Ivey may also be expected on the Main Event; making a comeback after his absence last year.
