2007 WSOP Event # 1

Event #1

Mixed Hold'em

Buy-In: $5,000

Number of Entries: 451

Total Prize Money: $2,119,700

Date of Tournament: June 1-3, 2007

Tournament Notes:

The winner was Steve Billirakis from Chicago, Illinois. Billirakis becomes the youngest winner of a gold bracelet in WSOP history. He was born on 5-23-86 which makes him 21 years and 11 days at the time of victory. This eclipses the mark set last year by Jeff Madsen who was 21 years, 1 month, and 9 Days when he won his gold bracelet.

Billirakis says he intends to play several more WSOP events over the next five weeks. That means an age-related record which was thought to perhaps be unbreakable (Jeff Madsens two WSOP gold bracelets last year by age 21 years, 1 month, and 18 days) is now in jeopardy. If Billirakis can win any WSOP tournament prior to the main event this year, he would break Madsens record.

The secondplace finisher was Greg Mueller. The outcome was disappointing to the former professional hockey player. Mueller once played in Europe and attended training camp for the NHLs Vancouver Canucks. Now a poker pro, Mueller was the chip leader after Day One. He came to the final table ranked third in chips. He enjoyed a decisive chip lead a few times when heads-up against Billirakis. However, each time it appeared Mueller might win his first WSOP title, his rival would win a critical pot and re-take the lead. Mueller played a phenomenal tournament over the days and is surely due to win a gold bracelet in the future.

There was some concern at the start of the final table that the high betting limits (for the limit half of the event) might create a quick finish. The average chip stack was about 500,000 and with betting limits on the initial round at 30,000-60,000 this gave the players very little lee-way so far as making mistakes or suffering a bad run of cards. Tournament Director Jack Effel made the proper decision not to adjust the size of the betting limits. In retrospect, his decision turned out to be correct. The final table lasted nearly eight hours and provided plenty of play for the finalists. WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack presented new poker champion Steve Billirakis with his first gold bracelet. The new improved and more expensive design by Swiss watchmaker Corum is certain to be a big hit with poker players. All of the WSOP gold bracelets to be given away in 2007 are on display near the final table stage in the tournament room.

This event marked the debut of a new stadium look to the WSOP. The WSOP and ESPN jointly unveiled a large stage with stadium style seating around the final table. There is also a bar and lounge are with tables and chairs on the upper level of viewing area. For spectators, this will be the most comfortable WSOP in history. All final tables broadcast by ESPN are free and open to the public.

This is the first poker event ESPN has ever broadcast in high-definition. Giant plasma screens around the stage showed the players features in far greater detail than in years past. The action was also much easier to follow. ESPN and Harrahs have teamed up to make this the most spectator-friendly event in poker history.

This was ESPNs first WSOP broadcast of 2007. The debut ESPN telecast of this event is expected to air on July 10, 2007.

Place	Player	Prize
1.	Steve Billirakis	$536,287
2.	Greg (FBT) Mueller	$328,554
3.	Anthony George	$218,329
4.	Steve Paul-Ambrose	$146,259
5.	Fred Berger	$108,105
6.	Roger McDow	$84,788
7.	Kirk Morrison	$63,591
8.	Jon Turner	$46,633
9.	John Younger	$33,915
10.	Phuong Tran	$22,257
11.		$22,257
12.	Michael Martin	$22,257
13.	Brett Richey	$20,137
14.	Paul Snead	$20,137
15.	Joe Tehan	$20,137
16.	Thong Tran	$18,017
17.	John Kroshus	$18,017
18.	Louis (Lou) Werman	$18,017
19.	Matthew Gianetti	$15,898
20.	Art Duncan	$15,898
21.	Pat Pezzin	$15,898
22.	Jason Mann	$15,898
23.	Jorge Arias	$15,898
24.	Hieu Ngoc (Tony) Ma	$15,898
25.	Todd Keikoan	$15,898
26.	Jason Strasser	$15,898
27.	David Grey	$15,898
28.	Ali Eslami	$13,778
29.	Mark Teltscher	$13,778
30.	Lonnie Heimowitz	$13,778
31.	Johnny Chan	$13,778
32.	Aaron Kanter	$13,778
33.	Frank Sasey	$13,778
34.	Van Hung	$13,778
35.	Andreas Walnum	$13,778
36.	Joe Brandenburg	$13,778
37.	Alex Bolotin	$11,658
38.	Todd Brunson	$11,658
39.	Emad Bastawros	$11,658
40.	Sirous Baghchehsaraie	$11,658
41.	Millie Shiu	$11,658
42.	Mark Gregorich	$11,658
43.	Thomas Koral	$11,658
44.	Stuart Rutter	$11,658
45.	Cyndy Violette	$11,658