Warren Karp

On May the 1^st, Harrah's announced what I think is the biggest change in WSOP history. They extended the World Series of Poker, not in number of days, but in when the final table of the Main Event will be taking place.

I’m not sure if this is a short report because of the amount of time I was there (48 hours) or because I really only saw one casino (Beau Rivage) or because the amount of the poker being played there is short.

I happen to be home in California this past weekend and I heard that the Pechanga Casino was holding a $550.00 buy-in tournament that had not only a $150,000.00 guarantee but also was awarding a $15,000.00 package to the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event. This is the same event that Jerry Yang won last year and parlayed into 8+ million. So off to Pechanga I went.

 In Poker, the Squeeze Play is a play the pros use to amass chips. This article shows you a way to turn the squeeze in your favor.

Well, as I travel around this great planet of ours, a poker game seems to find me, or do I seek out a game wherever I am? Either way I find myself at a local casino buying some form of poker chips. The currency isn’t always the same, but the habits on the poker table are.

I am still awe struck as to the popularity of No Limit Hold’em. I walk into Commerce casino and there are literally dozens of poker tables that are inhabited by Travel Channel (now GSN) watchers, and the waiting lists are off the charts. I often ask myself where all the money is coming from.

In a recent article (TDA Rules I don’t adhere to) I talked about the in the seat rule, a rule I follow to my own specifications. In this article I’ll talk about a rule that in my opinion is handled poorly by many in the poker industry.

As a Tournament Director for worldwide poker events, it’s my job to see that all things that occur during the event are fair to everyone. As a member of the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) I usually adhere to the rules set forth in our meetings, after all I’m part of the meetings and usually have a voice during the affair. 

With poker still exploding and fields of tournament players continuing to grow; I ask myself why the numbers are down at the Las Angeles Poker Classic (LAPC).

Recently I was invited, along with many others to the Coushatta Casino in Louisiana. This wonderful Indian tribe decided to put their casino on the map.