Scott Diamond

Last Night was the first event of Heavenly Holdem,a $335.00 buy in NL tournament,There were 401 people who showed up to play which is a pretty good turnout. Several other recent tournaments for the same buy in, did not have these kind of numbers.

My Commerce jinx continued. I have had a very rough time at Commerce since going deep in two events last year at the 2007 LAPC. I had my queens cracked in the first 10 minutes again last night. On a flop of 10c-6-c3d my opponent moved all in. He only raised 75 out of position and when I made it 200 he went all in. I called and he tabled AK no clubs and the river hit a K and for the second time in a week I was out within 10 minutes.

Something very interesting though to discuss. I spoke with several professional players last night about the WSOP having it's final table in November,4 months after the main event starts.

They were about 70% against this new rule and some of the reasons I will share with you.

Chris Moneymaker,Greg Raymer,Jamie Gold, Steve Danneman and Jerry Yang. Three of the four amateurs who win the Main Event and become household names in the Poker Community.

Now the final table is set and the top 9 players all get ninth place money until they return in November to battle it out for the Grand Prize.

There are all kinds of WHAT IF'S, however this would be a dream for some top pro's and advertisers.

Let's say another one or two rookie players have an incredible run to the final table. We all know this happens. The top professionals are going to take this rookie(s)and for 4 months teach them for a very nice fee, how to play final table Poker!

The ON Line sites are going to market these individuals like they were walking bill boards send them to numerous tournaments with logo's all over them like Nascar Drivers.

There was talk of boycotting the Main Event at the WSOP this year. This will never happen.

Espn just took enormous profits from the satellite companies who showed it live for a fee and every reaction, every hand all the little things that Espn will edit out. I heard Espn may show it live with a hour delay. I also have heard they are going to edit it and make it a two hour show a few days later.

Harrah's is going to pay for the return of the players and put them up in a Hotel. They are also going to pay the interest on the money held for those four months to the players.

I do not agree with this decision Espn made along with Harrah's. I do not care if I knew who won the Main Event, I am still watching every show Espn put's together,even though I know who won the event.

Espn has the best Poker show on TV, hands down. They are responsible for this Poker boom and although the WPT is enjoyable, it cannot compare to Espn.

I have been to the last two WSOP's my first as a spectator just learning the game and last year I played in the Senior's Event along with 1900 other's. My friend Ernest Bennett won the event and unfortunately this was one of the non televised events.

If you can make it out to Vegas for a few days and be a part of this, it is electrifying.

Harrahs however just pulled the plug.