Want the most interesting news and gossip emanating from the World Series of Poker at the Rio in Las Vegas? Here's where you'll find it.
Today in the 3-Bet we find 2003 Main Event champ Chris Moneymaker climbing back up the chip counts late on Day 2, Jeff Madsen channeling the spirit of Phil Hellmuth for his ME quest and Jean-Robert Bellande finally gets his Bentley out of the impound lot.
1) Moneymaker Survives, Surges on Day 2
How awesome would it be if Chris Moneymaker makes another deep run in the WSOP Main Event?
On a scale of 1-10, we'd put it at about a 31 in terms of buzz/emotional reward for a decade of carrying poker's "ambassadorship" on his shoulders.
Say what you will about poker needing/not needing ambassadors, or a player's personal "responsibility" to promote the game, Moneymaker was handed that job 11 years ago and handled it like a champ.
He's been a machine, really, stepping up literally thousands of times for pictures, interviews, radio spots, TV bits and more. And a pleasure to watch as he turned a once-in-a-lifetime moment into a career for him and his family.
He dipped down to about 60k yesterday before surging back up to 222k to end the day, putting him well within striking distance of a big move on Day 3.
Follow along with his journey right here on PokerListings when he returns for Day 3 tomorrow.
2) Madsen Uses Hellmuth Portrait for ME Run Good, Advice
Some have lucky card protectors. Some have pictures of their kids/loved ones.
Jeff Madsen brought a signed portrait of Phil Hellmuth (V1) to turn to for help and guidance as the Main Event rolls on.
So far, it's even working:
My Hellmuth portrait has catapulted me to 120k, basically I'm asking it advice mid hand. Basically Hellmuth Portrait is my spiritual guide
— Jeff Madsen (@JeffMadsenobv) July 9, 2014Finished day 2 of WSOP main with 217k. Here's me and Hellmuth Portrait posing in front of Hellmuth… http://t.co/zUZB8DlkK7
— Jeff Madsen (@JeffMadsenobv) July 9, 20143) JRB Takes Limo to Get Bentley Out of Impound Lot
You just can't make up the life of poker's perennial, good-natured punching bag Jean-Robert Bellande.
We should all be so lucky to get to take a limo ride to pick up our impounded Bentley.
In the limo on my way to impound to finally retrieve my ride. Ill memories of last tues #brokeinjail pic.twitter.com/lDjDj9ioYi
— Jean-Robert Bellande (@BrokeLivingJRB) July 9, 2014Visit www.pokerlistings.com