Some cities bring out the best and worst in people
Some cities bring out the best and worst in people. I would say New Orleans brings out who we really are. Whatever your passion – be it music, food, culture, nature, sports, gambling, poker, voodoo, or whatever – New Orleans is a year-around carnival of self-expression.It’s also been said that we reveal ourselves at the poker table. Accordingly, New Orleans’ colorful cast of characters and court jesters has made for plenty of exciting poker action. The World Series of Poker Circuit initially came to New Orleans four years ago, in May 2005. Since then, millions of dollars has been won and lost, hundreds of thousands of poker hands have been played, and 57 gold rings have been awarded to the winners (through this year’s Event #5).
Here are a few of the most memorable highlights from WSOP Circuit action at Harrah’s New Orleans, from 2005-2008 (Note: This is the first in a series of reports to come):
Don “Final Table” Mullis’ Amazing Run in 2005 – If the first season of the WSOP Circuit gave out an MVP award, it would have gone to Don “Final Table” Mullis, from North Carolina. Mullis had just begun playing tournament poker. He earned his nickname because he made eight final tables at WSOP Circuit event that first season, which included just four stops on the schedule. At Harrah’s New Orleans, Mullis took 2nd, 3rd, 7th, and 10th in his four cashes. Since the tournaments were two day events, Mullis could only enter a total of six tournaments that year. He may not have won first place, but his run was as impressive as anything seen at tournaments in recent years.
The Inspiring Story of Jose Jimenez – A sentimental story, since forgotten, is the incredible tale of Jose Jimenez, a 28-year-old Mexican immigrant, who won Event #2 at the 2005 WSOP Circuit in New Orleans. The story of how Jimenez topped a then-record field of 847 players and claimed $66,527 in prize money would in interesting enough. But add the implications of what winning a poker tournament meant to the man personally, and the victory extends far beyond the symbolism of a gold ring and poker glory. Jimenez was born in the bronze desert of northern Mexico. He arrived in the United States a few years earlier and worked as a waiter, hoping to get by, save his money, and eventually bring is family to the U.S. Meanwhile, his wife remained back in Mexico. Jimenez said after his victory that he hoped to bring his wife to America legally, where the family could settle down and be together. Incredibly, winning a poker tournament helped him to achieve that goal.
After Car Trouble, Tim Whaley Drives 700 Miles and Wins $67,230 – Tim Whaley had the perfect plan. He would meet up with his friends who all planned to pile into Whaley's car and drive 700 miles from home in Atlanta to New Orleans. The final destination was the WSOP Circuit at Harrah's New Orleans. Then, the unexpected happened. The car broke down. Whaley and his friends were forced to camp at an auto repair shop, desperately waiting for a spare part to arrive. It was not a good way to start a poker trip. Whaley was just about to give up on the idea of driving across four states to play in a poker tournament. Then, he decided to rent a car and just a short time later he was barreling down I-20 on his way to New Orleans. It was an all-night road trip that left the three young men mentally and physically exhausted. Somehow, Whaley and his friends made it to New Orleans and started playing poker the next day. Whaley entered the $500 buy-in no-limit hold'em tournament and a day later later, he had a gold ring and $67,230. There was no word on whether Whaley took some of the prize monbey to buy a new car.
Walter Chambers Comeback at the 2005 Main Event – It was an all-LSU heads-up finale the very first year the Circuit championship was played in New Orleans. The top two finishers were graduates of Louisiana State University. Walter Chambers (Class of 2000) defeated Corey A. Bierria (Class of 1998). Most impressive was that Chambers was dead last in chips when play was seven-handed. But he made an astounding comeback and ended up outlasting a tough field of 259 players. Chambers earned $787,340 – the highest poker prize ever awarded in the state of Louisiana.
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by Nolan Dalla
posted by AllStars at 8:08 PM
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