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Showgirls, rowdy supporters and the bright lights of television set the scene
November 10, 2008 (InfoPowa News) — Since mid-July, when the final nine players in the World Series of Poker Main Event was decided, poker fans have been waiting to see the resumption of action after a 117-day hiatus at the behest of television executives. On a grey and rainy Sunday morning this weekend, their patience was rewarded as the November Nine and a full-house of railbirds and media reporters gathered at the Rio in Las Vegas.
Final tablers Peter Eastgate, Kelly Kim, Ivan Demidov, David “Chino” Rheem, Darus Suharto, Scott Montgomery, Ylon Schwartz, Craig Marquis, and chip leader Dennis Phillips assembled at the Penn and Teller Theater within the hotel resort to find elaborate arrangements in place, with the table on a floodlit stage surrounded by television cameras and flanked by giant spectator screens.
They were preceded into the venue by a full-house of enthusiastic spectators who had stood in line for hours awaiting the 9.30am door opening, rooting for individual players. Those supporting Dennis Phillips were probably the most noticeable in both team clothing and noise level — the veteran player had booked some 350 seats for his followers, many from his home town of St. Louis.
Spotted among the spectators were Daniel Negreanu, Michael and Robert Mizrachi, Philippe Rouas, Greg Mueller, Phil Gordon, Cliff Josephy, and Barry Greenstein. Later in the day Phil Hellmuth pitched up, as did Hasan Habib, Amnon Filippi, Evelyn Ng, Maria Ho and Tiffany Michelle, who managed a creditable 17th place finish in the Main Event earlier this year.
