From Rising Star to Shooting Star

The 1-2-3 of ABC... Child's Play

You’ll often hear the term ‘ABC Poker’ used to describe a playing style, or the way a particular hand was played. It has connotations of predictability, and this isn’t too far from the truth. I like to sit down at a table full of ABC...

Lee Markholt - Interview with a Champ

Lee Markholt watches the airing of the 2008 World Poker Challenge and recounts his victory.

Lee Markholt Wins the 2008 WPT World Poker Challenge

The final table at the 2008 World Poker Tour World Poker Challenge featured two talented professional players looking for their first WPT win, and four solid, up-and-coming players. The reigning Card Player Player of the Year, David “The Dragon” Pham, made his sixth final-table appearance, and his second in Reno (he finished third in this event last year). Lee Markholt embarked on his first final-table venture, which gives him 15 cashes for his career on the WPT.

Foxwoods Poker Classic Day 1 Recap

World Poker Challenge Day 3 Recap

History was on the line Thursday during day 3 of the World Poker Challenge. The small field produced a final 27 littered with the game's most recognizable faces. Phil Ivey came into the day with his ninth World Poker Tour cash, and if history was any indication, Ivey would be a shoo-in for yet another WPT final table. Ivey had made the six-handed final table in each of the eight times he cashed, but despite making it all the way to the last table in play, Ivey failed to reach his goal by busting in 10th place.

World Poker Challenge - Day 1 Recap

The World Poker Tour made its annual stop in Reno, Nevada, and it was a combination of beginnings and endings. The tournament kicked off with a viewing party the night before Day 1, as the World Poker Tour was airing for the first time on a new network -- GSN, formerly known as the Game Show Network. It was the first episode of Season VI, which featured Jonathan Little and Phil Ivey -- two players that would play a big part throughout the season.

Gavin Griffin Wins the Borgata Poker Classic

Tonight, at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey a significant landmark in poker history was attained. Gavin Griffin, one of the brightest young stars in the game, achieved his first World Poker Tour title by winning the 2008 Borgata Poker Classic. Griffin added this title to his body of poker work, right next to his World Series of Poker gold bracelet (2004 pot-limit hold’em), and his win on the European Poker Tour (2007 Grand Final). No other player in poker can claim a title in all three major poker tours. It wasn’t easy for Griffin to win this prize; he had to fight five other players for the title, and one was a stubborn heads-up opponent who tried to stand in his way.

Borgata Poker Classic Day 4 Recap

While the 27 remaining players had all guaranteed themselves a profitable tournament, all had their eyes set on bigger things. For some, it was the hope that they could squeeze themselves up a few more spots and for some, it was the goal of making it to the television final table.

Day 1B at the WPT World Poker Open

Day 1B of the 2007 World Poker Tour’s World Poker Open saw an influx of professional players who had either busted out of the World Series of Poker circuit event next door, or flown into the United States after the conclusion of the Aussie Millions. One hundred and forty-two players were registered for play when the day began, but not all were accounted for when play got underway.